The former Police chief of Blowing Rock died Friday at Watauga Medical Center, and will be buried tomorrow. James Owen Tolbert, 65, of Sumpter Cabin Creek Road, Blowing Rock, retired from the Blowing Rock Police Department as chief of police in 2006 after serving the town for 24 years. He was also a United States Air Force veteran. Funeral services for James Owen Tolbert will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the First Baptist Church of Blowing Rock.

(photo: Austin and Barnes Funeral Home)