Obituary for James F. "Bo" Torian
On Friday evening, May 31, around 6:45 it began to rain...then the bottom fell out; complete with lightning flashes. That was just the Lord opening the gates and sending the Angels to get one of his strongest soldiers. With his daughter thanking him and expressing how much she appreciates and loves him, his spirit said "Oh shoot, I'm going on home then". And just like that, James F. Torian, took a deep breath and rode the storm home.
The first-born son of Willie and Mary Dunnagan Torian, "Bo" as he was so lovingly known by family and loved ones, was born in Durham, NC on June 11, 1941.
A proud resident of "Hickstown", he graduated in the class of 1960 from Hillside High School. Bo was a very well rounded and well read man. He enjoyed reading everything from biblical texts and fictional "blaxplotation" to biographical works. Being stationed at Fort Bliss Texas and his last duty station being the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, he served his country as a Military Policeman for "1 year, 11 months, 29 days". Additionally, he earned an associate’s degree in accounting and held the title of transit operator from which he retired after 40 dutiful years of service.
Born into a family of believers, he joined in fellowship with New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and was honored to serve in various capacities. He worked tirelessly as an usher, choir member, member of the Senior Citizen Club, a reserve van driver, he sat on the finance board and with a grateful heart served as Chairman of the Trustee Board and President of the Brotherhood. Of all the ways he was able to serve the Lord, he took most pride in teaching the word of God during Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. He received many expressions of gratitude for his teaching. He took great care in and spent many hours each week reading and preparing his lesson but also praying that he may decrease and truly allow the word to come forth.
He stood in brotherhood with the AS Hunter Masonic Lodge as well.
Waiting for him at Heaven's Gate will be his parents, brothers Bobby and Willie Torian, a very dear niece, Deborah Torian, nephews Bryce Torian and Derrick Parks, his aunt Leora Jones and brother in law Milton "Steve" Satterfield.
Perhaps those that will miss him most are his wife Anita Satterfield-Torian, his daughters Sha'Torria "Toochie" Torian and Donetta "Della" Barrett-Patrick and husband Shaun, son Carlos Torian, sisters Anne, Bessie and Barbara Torian, brothers Bennie Torian and wife Sarah and Joseph Torian and wife Sharon, brothers in law Anthony Satterfield and wife Rhonda and Kimeko Satterfield and wife Jennifer as well as his mother in law Rebecca Gray and husband Harry Gray. Carrying forward his legacy with the distinction of being his "best friends" are his grandsons Darrenta Haley and JaTory Clinton. Loved and revered by his nieces and nephews, he took every opportunity to pass down life lessons to not only them but their children as well.
Never one to shy away from a good conversation, he formed a brotherhood with "The McDonald's Boys" with whom he shared daily laughs.
Whether you know him from New Bethel, McDonald's, driving the bus, AMF bowling lanes or arm chair coaching the Washington Redskins and the Carolina Tarheels, he made a very lasting impression on all he encountered; earning their admiration and respect.
The first-born son of Willie and Mary Dunnagan Torian, "Bo" as he was so lovingly known by family and loved ones, was born in Durham, NC on June 11, 1941.
A proud resident of "Hickstown", he graduated in the class of 1960 from Hillside High School. Bo was a very well rounded and well read man. He enjoyed reading everything from biblical texts and fictional "blaxplotation" to biographical works. Being stationed at Fort Bliss Texas and his last duty station being the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, he served his country as a Military Policeman for "1 year, 11 months, 29 days". Additionally, he earned an associate’s degree in accounting and held the title of transit operator from which he retired after 40 dutiful years of service.
Born into a family of believers, he joined in fellowship with New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and was honored to serve in various capacities. He worked tirelessly as an usher, choir member, member of the Senior Citizen Club, a reserve van driver, he sat on the finance board and with a grateful heart served as Chairman of the Trustee Board and President of the Brotherhood. Of all the ways he was able to serve the Lord, he took most pride in teaching the word of God during Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. He received many expressions of gratitude for his teaching. He took great care in and spent many hours each week reading and preparing his lesson but also praying that he may decrease and truly allow the word to come forth.
He stood in brotherhood with the AS Hunter Masonic Lodge as well.
Waiting for him at Heaven's Gate will be his parents, brothers Bobby and Willie Torian, a very dear niece, Deborah Torian, nephews Bryce Torian and Derrick Parks, his aunt Leora Jones and brother in law Milton "Steve" Satterfield.
Perhaps those that will miss him most are his wife Anita Satterfield-Torian, his daughters Sha'Torria "Toochie" Torian and Donetta "Della" Barrett-Patrick and husband Shaun, son Carlos Torian, sisters Anne, Bessie and Barbara Torian, brothers Bennie Torian and wife Sarah and Joseph Torian and wife Sharon, brothers in law Anthony Satterfield and wife Rhonda and Kimeko Satterfield and wife Jennifer as well as his mother in law Rebecca Gray and husband Harry Gray. Carrying forward his legacy with the distinction of being his "best friends" are his grandsons Darrenta Haley and JaTory Clinton. Loved and revered by his nieces and nephews, he took every opportunity to pass down life lessons to not only them but their children as well.
Never one to shy away from a good conversation, he formed a brotherhood with "The McDonald's Boys" with whom he shared daily laughs.
Whether you know him from New Bethel, McDonald's, driving the bus, AMF bowling lanes or arm chair coaching the Washington Redskins and the Carolina Tarheels, he made a very lasting impression on all he encountered; earning their admiration and respect.