Jim Kemp "J.K." Sherron Jr.

Former NC Senator, Jim Kemp “J.K.” Sherron, Jr., 84, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2015. J.K. was born on September 26, 1931 and raised on a farm in Fuquay-Varina, the son of Jim and Maggie Sherron. J.K. graduated from Fuquay Springs High School in 1951. He served in the US Navy from 1951-1955 before returning to Wake County to attend N.C. State University on a football scholarship and graduated in 1959.

After graduating, J.K. began selling insurance and real estate. He opened his own office eventually adding real estate development to the business. He was a leading broker, developer, and homebuilder in the Wake County area. He was the owner of CENTURY 21 J.K. Sherron & Associates, a residential and commercial real estate brokerage and development company in Raleigh until an accident forced him to retire in 2001. J.K. was recognized for his contributions to the industry in 2006 when he was inducted into the North Carolina Housing Hall of Fame.

J.K. became involved in political activities while a student at N.C. State. Over the years, he was involved in political campaigns at the local, state and national levels. That activity led to a career in public service that began in 1976 in the administration of Governor Jim Hunt. J.K. served as Director of the State Property Office (overseeing state owned and leased real estate), later served as Director of Purchase and Contract and eventually became Deputy Secretary of the Dept. of Administration. While serving in state government he was instrumental in the creation of N.C State’s Centennial Campus. J.K. was elected to 5 terms in the North Carolina Senate, where he served from 1986-1996. As part of the Senate leadership, he served as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. From his days in state government handling state property matters, J.K. developed a passion for the state park system. While in the Senate he sponsored 40-50 different bills that benefited our parks, one of which created the N.C. Parks Authority in 1996. J.K. also introduced the legislation to create the Centennial Authority, which developed and oversees what is now known as the PNC Arena.

J.K. was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Wallace. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carolyn Honeycutt Sherron; son, J. Kemp Sherron III (Mary); daughter, Kathy S. Ridick (Bob) all of Raleigh. J.K. is also survived by six grandchildren: Jim “Jay” Sherron, Harrison Sherron, Ali Sherron, Robert “Trey” Ridick, Alison Moore (Alex) and Erin Ridick. Also surviving are sisters Betty S. Matthews of Fuquay-Varina and Shirley S. Bowling of Raleigh and sister-in-law Doris Sherron of Raleigh.

J.K. was a tough man with a kind heart. He never met a stranger. His positive attitude and can do spirit after being paralyzed in 2001 were an inspiration to everyone. He will be dearly missed. May he rest in peace.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 7, 2015 at Noon (with funeral services at 1:30) at Millbrook Baptist Church. Interment will immediately follow at Montlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Millbrook Baptist Church General Fund, 1519 East Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609 or to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownwynne.com