James Augustus Propst

James Augustus Propst, 74, was called to Heaven on Friday morning, January 20, 2017. Jim, as he preferred, was born December 16, 1942 in Morganton, North Carolina to Pearl and Henessee Propst. His passing came after a brief battle with throat and lung cancer.

Jim was raised primarily by his mother as he lost his father at the early age of two. His father died in 1944 from wounds received in the Battle of the Bulge. Growing up in Burke County, North Carolina, Jim attended school there. Upon graduating from high school, he went on to attend East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. During his time at ETSU, Jim became a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

After college, Jim found his way to Raleigh, working in the insurance industry. Towards the end of the 1960’s Jim partnered with a fellow agent and opened Propst-Jackson Insurance Agency. He spent many successful years helping out his fellow North Carolinians and others with their insurance needs. After thirty plus years, the consummate sales professional, Jim would leave the insurance business and take up car sales. Later, he went on to work in real estate sales. Good natured, easy going and always the gentleman, Jim enjoyed much success in each one of these roles because he was always friend first, sales person second, to all his clients and customers.

Jim joined the Church of the Good Shepherd, located in downtown Raleigh, in 1986. During his thirty years at the church, besides attending regularly, he served the church in many different roles. Jim served numerous times on the church vestry, including multiple times as either Senior or Junior Warden. He was a regular fixture at church events, whether helping to organize or simply volunteering to make sure the work got done. Jim also frequently served as a church usher, being the first one to greet parishioners and guests alike as they arrived as well as being one of the last to wish those same folks a wonderful day as they left after the service. Rare was the person who didn’t have their Sunday morning improved with a warm greeting coming and going when Jim was on the door.

Loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather as well as great friend to all, Jim will be missed terribly. He really enjoyed traveling with his wife; spending time with his extended family, especially at the beach; and chasing that often elusive sub-80 round of golf. Jim thought there was no better way to end his day than with a smooth scotch and an excellent cigar. Ever the consummate host, he loved life and being around him it was hard not to have a good time as well.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Pearl Stroupe Propst, his father, Ervin Hennessee Propst, and step-daughter, Nikki Hoppe Bourland. He is survived by his current wife, Mary; son, Michael Propst and his wife, Amy of Raleigh; daughter Susan Bones of Richmond, VA; step-son, Mike Hoppe and his wife, Rose of Wake Forest; and step-daughter, Laura Abell and her husband, Joe of Charleston, South Carolina. “Pop-pop” is also survived by his grandchild, Patrick Propst; step-grandchildren, Jeromy Hoppe and his wife Brandy, Corey Abell, John R. Hoppe, Elizabeth Hoppe, Cameron Abell, Camden Abell, and Cassidy Abell. Jim also leaves behind three step-great grandchildren, David Burnette, Chad Hoppe, and Sarah Hoppe. He is also survived by first wife, Diane Young.

The family will receive friends Friday evening, January 27, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Brown Wynne Funeral Home on Millbrook Road in Raleigh. The memorial service will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Hillsborough Street in downtown Raleigh on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 11:00 AM. Memorials in Jim’s name may be made to either the Church of the Good Shepherd’s Music Ministry, 121 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh NC 27603 or the Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen, 121 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh NC 27603, both causes dear to his heart.