James Monroe Gulley

James Monroe Gulley, retired member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, died May 20, 2014 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Born May 10, 1939, he was the son of Creighton and Naomi Reid Gulley, brother to Gayle Gulley, husband to Suzanne Hargett Gulley, dad to Jim Jr. and Elissa and Paw Paw to Jessica, Erik, Everett and Emery.

Governor Pat McCrory ordered flags at the state capitol to be flown at half-mast in Jim’s memory. Flags were also lowered in both Matthews and Mint Hill.

Jim, as he was known to family and friends, grew up in the Woodlawn community of Mecklenburg County, attending Woodlawn Elementary, Sharon Junior High and East Mecklenburg High School. He graduated from East and received an electrical engineering degree at the old Charlotte College.

Shortly after graduation, Jim was employed at National Cash Register and embarked on a career in computer technology. He spent several years training in the profession and working with the company’s artificial intelligence program. After 19 years of service with NCR, he resigned to open his own company, Carolina Computer Systems. CCS worked on the development of motion detection now at use in hotels and motels across the world to regulate heat/air in rooms.

When his children were young, Jim and his wife were among early organizers of Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association. He helped build sports fields at Arthur Goodman Park and coached an early Pop Warner football team. Fifty – somethings in the community still call him “Coach.” Jim also taught a Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Matthews as a young man.

Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoying many happy hours with friends in the Kimway Drive Hunt Club. His children and grandchildren will always remember his gun safety and target shooting lessons. All four grandchildren have lifetime hunting-fishing licenses that he bought them when they were born. The licenses say “Remember your Paw Paw.”

Jim became interested in politics during the late 1980s and decided to seek election to the Matthews Town Council. He enjoyed remembering how he went home from his very first election night gathering thinking he had been defeated. He learned he was actually elected when a group of people was heard chanting Gulley, Gulley and waving Vote Gulley signs in his front yard.

After serving three years on the Town Council, Jim was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives. Among his successes as a Representative were: a law assisting crime scene investigators in the smaller counties of the state, one identifying people stealing copper and a law forbidding school bus drivers to talk on cell phones while driving. In the GA, he also served four years as the Wildlife Committee Chairman, chairman of Parks and Facilities and co-chair of the 2001 Redistricting Committee. The North Carolina Wildlife Commission recognized his work with a plaque citing his dedication and knowledge of the state’s wildlife. He was also commended by Community Colleges for his advocacy on their behalf. Jim helped plant Queens Grant Charter School in Mint Hill and served on the Board of Directors of the Matthews Volunteer Fire Department.

Perhaps Jim’s biggest contribution as a Representative was his devotion to constituent work. He helped find solutions for dozens of people who were overwhelmed by government regulations. He often visited with people in his district to find out how he could assist with their problems. Notes of appreciation were among his most cherished possessions.

Jim retired from the General Assembly in 2010 amid accolades. His peers gave him a scrapbook of personal letters remembering his 14 years of service to the people of North Carolina.

“When Jim Gulley stood to speak in the Assembly, people listened,” said Speaker of the House, Thom Tillis. “He wasn’t like many who had to say something on every issue. He was respected as a true statesman.”

Governor Beverly Perdue presented Jim the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for dedication to the state during his special day in session.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held June 13 at 2pm at First Baptist Church of Matthews, The Reverend Bradley Hargett presiding. Gayle and Barbara Gulley, Jim’s brother and sister-in-law will sing. Martha Price, a friend from Jim’s high school days will also be soloist. The Gulley family will visit with family and friends in the church fellowship hall following the service.

Jim is survived by his wife of 55 1/2 years, his brother Gayle and wife Barbara, his son Jim, Jr. and wife Paige, his daughter Elissa Biggs and husband Steve, four grandchildren Jessica Gulley and Erik, Everett and Emery Biggs, a sister-in-law Nancy Troutman and husband Wayne and a number of nephews and one niece.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Town of Matthews Jim Gulley Memorial Fund, 232 Matthews Station Street, Matthews, NC 28105 and designated for Volunteer Fire equipment.