John Cameron Church Jr.

John Cameron Church, Jr. died January 3, 2023, at his home in Raleigh, surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 6, 1941, in Henderson, to Wilda Banister Church and John C. Church. He attended Henderson City schools and graduated from Henderson High School in 1959. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan College in 1963.

After attending graduate school for a year, John joined his father in the family trucking business, Vance Trucking Company of Henderson, as vice president of marketing and sales. In 1970, he left the trucking business to begin his career in economic development. In Greene County, he served as the executive director of the Greene County Economic Development Commission. Two years later, he moved to Raleigh and joined the North Carolina Department of Commerce, where he worked for 22 years, serving as manager of the Raleigh Regional Office, senior economic development consultant, and manager of the Far East Group. As a development consultant, he succeeded in siting more than 125 national and international facilities in North Carolina, resulting in thousands of new jobs for the citizens of North Carolina. In the Far East Group, he coordinated two successful business recruitment missions in Japan and Korea, involving the governor, secretary of commerce, and 50-plus North Carolina business leaders. In 1994, he accepted a position as manager of business development at Piedmont, Olsen, Hensley engineering. In 1999, John joined the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, where he was manager of Economic Development and Marketing for the City of Raleigh for five years. Before retiring in 2009, he also served as Executive Director of the Warren County Economic Development Commission and the Fuquay-Varina Economic Development Commission. He was a member of the North Carolina Economic Developers Association, an ex-officio member of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, a member of the board at the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce, and a board member of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership.

John married Mary “Emory” Rogers on October 20, 1979, and they raised three wonderful children: John Cameron “Cam” Church, III, William Rogers Banister Church, and Elizabeth “Betsy” Emory Church Bula, all of Raleigh. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Daniel Bula, a granddaughter, Emory Simmons Bula, and his honorary son, Marcus Jones; his sister, Catherine Church, and her husband, Bob Sasser; four nieces, and a nephew. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Donna Church Ervin.

The Churches lived in Raleigh throughout their 43-year marriage, where John enjoyed his membership in Christ Episcopal Church, the Raleigh Kiwanis Club, and the Carolina Country Club. John was a lifelong golf enthusiast and shot three holes-in-one. Following his retirement, John and Emory enjoyed traveling and time at the beach. He also enjoyed gardening and time outside with his faithful dog, Daisy.

The Church family is grateful for the love and support from their friends and family over the past several years. They are especially thankful for the care provided by Ricky Williams and a number of other wonderful caregivers.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, January 7, at Christ Episcopal Church at 11 a.m. A reception will follow at the church. A family burial will take place at Historic Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 120 East Edenton St., Raleigh, NC 27601.

Service arrangements are being handled by Brown-Wynne, 300 St. Mary’s Street, Raleigh.