Not that the former state representative from Pasquotank County didn’t deserve some chuckles.

He turned 90 on July 11, a few days before the reunion, and the green-and-white-trimmed bash at the State Fairgrounds was a chance “to renew old friendships and make new ones,” as the promotional literature put it, and he was doing plenty of both.

Button-holing friends, emphasizing his reminiscences with repeated, well-aimed jabs of his forefinger to the listener’s chest, he evoked memories of Lyndon Baines Johnson working the halls of Congress.

James, for whom the Vernon G. James Research and Extension Center in Washington County is named, was well-qualified to rule the 4-H roost that day.

Among other efforts on behalf of 4-H, he and his friends, most deceased now, chartered the 4-H Honor Club in 1931.

“One of the bylaws we set,” James said, “was that you had to be nationally recognized for some accomplishment — whether it was a national judging team, record keeping, hogs, needlework or canning tomatoes — before you could be tapped for Honor Club.” James was among the more than 350 former and current 4-H’ers, leaders, agents, specialists and friends of 4-H who attended the event.

With two polite young 4-H’ers from the Raleigh Rangers in tow, he perused the nine tables of historic 4-H memorabilia lining the walls of the circular Gov. James E. Holshouser Building. Many of the items eventually are bound for a 4-H museum.

As Mason Ellege and Allie Huber, both 9, tagged along, James pointed out such aging items as a pennant emblazoned with “Guilford County: Best 4-H Club, 1949,” a black-and-white photo of Gov. Luther Hodges, a pith helmet from a tractor event long forgotten by most, a gabardine work outfit with a 4-H patch sewn on the pocket, a blue glass Atlas canning jar with a metal “Ball” top and much more.

Despite the eight-decade spread between his age and theirs, James was certain that his fans are bound for greatness. “Thanks for looking at these things with me,” he told the kids softly at tour’s end. “You young people are what make 4-H great and will continue to make it great.”

“4-H opened many doors for me,” James said later. “I worked with farm commodity groups and the next thing you know, somebody picked me out to serve on state and national committees. I’ve had the opportunity to meet people from every state and from 40 countries around the world.

“Club work develops your mind and your skills so you can speak to the public. The sad thing,” he said, smiling, “is you wind up in politics, serve in the legislature and go to speak in D.C.

“When you get my age,” James said, serious again, “the only thing you have is the legacy you have left to other people, and if you have not accomplished that, your life has not been fulfilled. All of us are indebted to someone, and we need to pay it back.”

The North Carolina 4-H Development Fund, the North Carolina 4-H Youth Development Program and the North Carolina 4-H Honor Club sponsored the program.

Other activities included reunions organized by decades, a participants’ parade, camp crafts and games, a talent showcase and a dinner, reception and dance.

4-H, North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s youth development program, is headquartered in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State University.