Earl Brown Gurkin, Jr., Leland

    Earl Brown Gurkin, Jr., 61 of Leland died Friday, May 3, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center in Whiteville. He was 61.
    The son of Earl Brown Gurkin, Sr. and Alice Carolyn Edwards Gurkin, Mr. Gurkin was owner-operator of Gurkin Construction, was a former Mayor of Sandy Creek, and served as Mayor pro tem and a member of council until his death.
    A member of Riegelwood Baptist Church, he served as a Deacon-Trustee and served on the Budget and Finance Committee, and Baptist Men.
    He was a member of the Southeastern North Carolina Mustang Club and Founding member and Vice President of the Cape Fear Farm Heritage Association.
    Survivors include his wife, Dixie Stone Gurkin of Leland; sons Earl Shane Gurkin and wife, Shonna of Tabor City and Michael Ryan Gurkin and wife, Sara of Leland; daughter Pamela Gurkin Cumber and husband, Jason of Leland; his parents of Clarkton; brother Robert Gurkin and wife, Lisa of Clarkton; sisters Carol Spradley and husband, Mike of Wilmington, and Jean Creech and husband Mike of Clarkton; grandchildren Grayson Gurkin, Garrett Gurkin, Cameron Gurkin, Kirick Gurkin, Lira Gurkin, Vanna Gurkin, Logan Cumber, Madix Cumber.
     Visitation was planned from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, May 6, at Riegelwood Baptist Church.
    Funeral services were planned for 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 at Riegelwood Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Hester and Rev. John Porter officiating. Burial followed in the Riegelwood Baptist Church Cemetery. The Jeremiah Sunday school class will serve as active and honorary pallbearers.
    Memorials may be made to the Riegelwood Baptist Church Mobilizing to Build Fund., 103 Hwy 87, Riegelwood, N.C. 28456.