John Irwin Hand, 89 of Pittsboro, North Carolina, passed peacefully and was promoted to Glory, surrounded by family on March 28, 2024. John was born in Plainfield, New Jersey on November 6, 1934. After high school, he met the love of his life Pat, and served in the US Navy from 1952 to 1956. After his service, he was married and grew his family, and was a business owner in New Jersey. John was called to and moved his family to Woolwine, Virginia in 1976, where he founded and was the Director of Bethel Campgrounds, later known as Bethel Bible Camp. He designed and built every building at the Camp, and served there until his retirement in 2015. He lived his final years at Pittsboro Christian Village in Pittsboro, NC.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Irwin Hand; his siblings Lois Eustice and Richard Hand; and his daughter Naomi Hand. John is survived by his beloved wife and partner of 67 years Patricia “Pat” Hand of Pittsboro, NC; his children John David, Seth (Ann-dec.), Martha “Marti” (Bob), Eric, Sarah, Nathanael “Nate” (Teresa Ann), Lydia (Paul), Rachel (Brian) and Esther (Louis); 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
There will be a Memorial Service at Pittsboro Christian Village in Pittsboro, NC, on Saturday, April 27 at 2 PM, and his remains will be laid to rest at Bethel Bible Camp in Woolwine, VA at a later date.
