James Russell Gurley, 94

James Russell Gurley, 94, passed away on November 23, 2014.   

James was a lifelong resident of Forest City, NC, Russ has lived with his son, Jim and Daughter-in-law, Gilda, in Tampa for the past five years.  Born in Golden Valley, NC to Claney Burgin Gurley and Effie Houser Gurley, on May 11, 1920.  He was the last remaining sibling survivor to six brothers and a sister, Ken, John, Robert, Henry Ford, Charles Lynn, Don and Blanche (Bezhold).  He graduated from Cool Springs High School in 1938.  Russ had many vocations: grocery clerk, Army radio operator, bartender, used car dealer, bus station manager, carnival worker, taxi cab driver and antique dealer.  He often used the cliché, I am a “Jack of all Trades and Master of None.” However, we knew different, as he was a very compassionate man, but enjoyed questioning authority and the status quo.  In addition, he had many nicknames, Russ, Hillbilly, Sarge, Shorty, Gurley, Gypsy, Julio, etc. and many stories to go with them.

He entered the US Army in January 1942, thirty days after Pearl Harbor, and served in the South Pacific, and was stationed on the Mariana island of Tinian.  His Army Air Corp group, the 509th Composite Group, coordinated the Atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan in 1945.   Always after every one of his war stories he would end with, I had it pretty easy in the Air Corp but my friends and comrades were the ones who had the tough time fighting.  He was indeed a member of the “Greatest Generation”.

In addition to his parents and siblings, he was preceded in death thirty nine years ago by his beloved wife Margaret Goode Gurley in 1975, after their thirty three years of marriage.   A daughter, Susan Kaye, born in 1950, lived only a short time and preceded them both in death.   

He is survived by his son, Jim “Butch” Gurley and wife Gilda, of Tampa, Florida; a granddaughter, Jaime Helms and husband Josh; a grandson, Justin Burgin Gurley, and a great grandson, Rory James Helms, all residing in Tampa.  He leaves behind many, Gurley, Goode and Guffey, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were held in the Padgett & King Chapel with Dr. Bobby Gantt officiating.  

A private interment followed the service in the Cool Springs Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Florence Baptist Church Building Fund, 201 S. Broadway Street, Forest City, NC 28043 or the Rutherford County Chapter of the V.F.W. 

The Padgett & King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.