Former North Carolina Governor Jim Holshouser has died. Holshouser's family says he died this morning at a hospital in Pinehurst. A native of Boone, he was North Carolina's first Republican governor in the 20th century, serving from 1973 to 1977. Holshouser received an undergraduate degree from Davidson College and a law degree from UNC Chapel Hill.
While in office, Holshouser created a UNC Board of Governors and supported the expansion of public school kindergartens. He also established rural health clinics and added to the state parks system.
Holshouser moved to Southern Pines and practiced law after he left office in 1977. He also served on the UNC-system board for 16 years.
He was 78 years old.