John Garrett Ludlum, 78, of Wallace, North Carolina passed away peacefully on March 16, 2026. 

Garrett was born October 2, 1947 to Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Ludlum of Wilmington, North Carolina.  He is a 1965 graduate of New Hanover High School, Wilmington, North Carolina, where he was active in R.O.T.C.  After High School, Garrett matriculated to Campbell College in Buies Creek North Carolina earning a B.S.   It was at Campbell that he met his wife of 55 years, Patsy Sheffield.

After college, Garrett worked for several years for the Campbell’s Soup Company and in the banking business.  Garrett served his country proudly in the Army National Guard from 1970 to 1976.  In 1976 his loving mother-in-law, Jane Sheffield, challenged Garrett to make application to the newly created Campbell Law School.  She had seen an advertisement for the new school in the newspaper at their weekly Sunday lunch.  Garrett accepted the challenge and enrolled at Campbell Law where he graduated in the 1979 charter class. 

Garrett was a devoted member of the Warsaw Presbyterian Church for three decades where he served as Clerk of Session.  Upon moving to Wallace he transferred his membership to Wallace Presbyterian Church where he attended regularly until health problems limited his mobility. 

Garrett is preceded in death by his parents, and brother H.B. Ludlum, Jr. (Anne).  He is survived by his wife Patsy Ludlum;  sons John (Erin) Ludlum of Burgaw and Hayes (Emily) Ludlum of Wallace; four loving grandchildren Miller, Leona, Garrett and Harper-Jane;  Sister Sally Ludlum and sister-in-law Jane Stephens of Black Mountain.   

Garrett loved being a country lawyer.  In his forty-four  year career he assisted countless people with real estate closings, estate administration, speeding tickets, DWIs, serious felony charges and civil disputes.  Garrett served as town counsel for 5 towns in Duplin County throughout his career.  In 2016 he was bestowed the honor of induction into the North Carolina Bar Association General Practice Hall of Fame. 

Second only to his love for his family, Garrett truly loved his “courthouse” family.  The members of the Duplin County Bar, prosecutors, the courthouse staff, clerks, bailiffs and judges all brought Garrett more joy and happiness than they will ever know.  The highlight of his days was sitting in judge’s chambers with his colleagues, sipping coffee and sharing old war stories and cracking jokes. 

A memorial service will be held at Wallace Presbyterian Church on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. with the Reverand Robb Lapp officiating.   In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Wallace Presbyterian Church.