February 11, 2026, 88, Goldsboro – James Edward “Jim” Gurganus passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 surrounded by the love of his family. Jim was born on December 14, 1939 in Goldsboro, NC. He grew up working on the farm with his dad and other farmers in the Hood Swamp and Pinewood community during the summer months.
He loved to play baseball and basketball and excelled in both sports while attending New Hope High School. After graduation he played baseball with the local minor league team Eakes Store and became the team manager and change the name of the team to the Patetown Wildcats. Under his leadership the team raised enough money for new uniforms and ended up winning the county championship 2 years in a row.
After graduating high school he moved to Greenville, NC and worked with a retail department store for about a year and moved back to Goldsboro, NC soon thereafter because he had fallen in love with the love of his life, Connie Daw. She was a beautiful lady that he ended up marrying and they raised two boys together, Marty and Todd Gurganus.
Jim and Connie were married 66 years and you would have to look hard to find two people that loved each other as much as they did.
Jim worked with Wilkins Coffee Company and Wayne Dairy in Goldsboro, NC as a route salesman in his early years.
Looking for a better way of life and way to provide for his family he took a job with Combine Insurance and soon hit his stride becoming one of the best salesmen the company ever had. During his employment with them he broke record after record with them receiving numerous awards during his employment. For a period, he also sold cars for Jones Pontiac/Cadillac where he was many times the leading salesman. People enjoyed buying their car from Jim because they trusted him and appreciated the way he treated them.
In his late 20’s, he was called to preach and accepted that calling on his life. He followed in his father’s footsteps and became a minister of the gospel.
Jim pastored five different churches in the Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Denomination over a 40 year span and ended up forming his own church Joy Fellowship in Goldsboro, NC where he retired from the ministry after 50 years of service to the Lord.
Jim always had a positive message. He was always encouraging the people he pastored to believe that they could achieve great things and reach their goals. Under his leadership several of the churches raised enough money to build educational buildings so their church families would have a place to celebrate weddings, birthdays and church functions. One church raised enough money to build a parsonage. Each church Jim pastored grew in membership and more importantly in their faith.
Graveside services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, February 14, 2026 in Wayne Memorial Park with his son, Rev. Marty Gurganus, officiating. Friends may call on the family at their home.
Jim is survived by the love of his life and his wife of 66 years, Connie Daw Gurganus; two sons, Marty Gurganus and wife Connie, and Todd Gurganus; sister, Marie Gurganus Hoover; three grandchildren, Michael Gurganus (Sarah Johnson), David Gurganus and Taylor Gurganus; and a great-grandson, MJ Johnson.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Joe Gurganus and Blanche Daniels Gurganus and brother-in-law, Carroll Hoover.
The family wishes to thank everyone at ECU Medical Center, Wayne Memorial Hospital, Goldsboro Rehab and Kitty Askins Hospice Center for the kind and compassionate way he was cared for.
