Robert Harrison Gourley, Sr.

. Robert Harrison Gourley, Sr. (Bob) was not one to quit, fighting back again and again from numerous health setbacks.  His grandchildren called him “the Grampanator” because, no matter how dire the diagnosis, he always bounced back. With family around him, he lost those health battles at 8:27 p.m., Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at Iredell Memorial Hospital.    Born on a snowy day in Slayton Minnesota on December 1, 1941 as the first child of Jesse and Mavis Gourley, he moved with his family to Chicago while his father worked for the war effort on the development of radar.  Following World War II, he and his family moved to Sioux Falls where his parents worked in the fledgling consumer electronics business (eventually owning a very large and successful multi-state electronics and appliance distributorship).  His first sibling, Jeannie, was born soon after.  Jeannie struggled with bacterial meningitis and passed away at age 2.  Two other siblings, Jane and Rick, were born while the family lived in Sioux Falls.  Bob attended Sioux Falls schools and graduated from Washington High School in 1959.  While in school, Bob was part of the chorus and also part of a barbershop quartet that sang for then Vice President Richard Nixon, and that performance is memorialized on an LP recording.  Bob was a hard worker.  He worked at Sam’s Grocery while in school, hauling heavy bags that were nearly as heavy as he was (and probably began the slow process of deterioration in his back).  He also worked at a local fuel tank farm. Following graduation, Bob attended Morningside College in Sioux City, IA.  Bob continued his pattern of working through school, working at a men’s clothing store and helping to carry trays in the school cafeteria in exchange for meals.  Miraculously, Bob survived college even though he and friends were ambushed by University of South Dakota students after Bob and friends burned a giant “M” in the USD field before that week’s football game.  Bob graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1963.  Although he considered a career in the ministry, he often joked that he was the only one on his seminary visit who smoked cigarettes—he just didn’t fit in. Earning a Scottish Rite fellowship (a significant scholarship), Bob then traveled to Washington, DC and attended George Washington University.  While there, he earned a Masters of Public Administration.  He also began dating Caroline Burgin, whom he later married in 1964. Bob and Caroline lived in Chapel Hill while Bob attended the UNC School of Law, graduating with a JD in 1968.  During this time, Bob worked at the Institute of Government.  Their first child, Bobby (Robert H. Gourley, Jr.), was born in Chapel Hill. Upon graduation, Bob and Caroline moved to Winston-Salem, and Bob began working for Wachovia Bank in its Trust Department.  Bob soon moved up the ranks and became the youngest vice president in bank history (back when being a vice president was a rarer event).  While in Winston-Salem, the couple had their second child, Caroline (“Kakki”).  Bob was very active in their church, and he was active in public service (fundraising for various groups including the Symphony).  Bob and Caroline moved to Statesville in 1973, and Bob entered private practice with Fred Chamblee.  Several years later, Bob joined Bill Pope, Bill McMillan and Costi Kutteh in the firm Pope, McMillan,  Gourley & Kutteh.  Bob continued his focus on giving back to his community, and he worked tirelessly for a number of charitable causes, including the United Way (overall Chair and Annual Fund Chair) and the Lion’s Club.  He also worked for a number of political campaigns during this time.  A central focus of the early years in Statesville was First Presbyterian Church.  Bob was the Superintendent of the Sunday School, followed by a term as Church treasurer.  Bob served as a Deacon and was eventually selected to serve on the Session as an Elder.  Although his attention was focused on his family, his second focus was his profession.  His practice focused on bankruptcy and trusts & estates. He successfully argued a number of cases before the NC Supreme Court and NC Court of appeals.  Active in the NC Bar Association, Bob served on the Bankruptcy Council and served as the Chair of the Council in the mid-1980’s.  As a bankruptcy attorney, Bob served for over 20 years as a bankruptcy trustee.  In 1995, Bob, Jr. and his wife, Heather, joined Bob, and they opened Gourley, Griffin & Gourley, PA.  Due to health issues involving his back, Bob retired from that practice and from the law after over 30 years.  With Bob as a model, Bob, Jr., and Heather continued that practice.  His biggest joy in life came from being a grandfather.  Kakki’s children (Edwards, Harrison and Caroline), and Bob’s children (Rob, Alex and Margaret) will confirm that their “Grandpa” was a man who loved them very much and was not afraid to embarrass them through his pranks and sense of humor.  Although he lived in Statesville, as his health permitted, he loved traveling to Sunbury to be with Kakki and her family.  Bob was an active participant in his grandchildren’s’ lives, sometimes to his detriment.  His back problems came in large part from showing his grandkids how to jump from a swing at Caldwell Park in Statesville. Bob married Vonnie in 1999.  In true Bob fashion, Bob showed up to the wedding wearing a white suit and large hat and cane—setting the tone for the party that followed.  Vonnie and her children, Tanner Hallman, Kelsey Kenley (Rudy), Jenell Hallman and Rayna Wilson added another 11 grandkids to the mix.  Vonnie ran a successful child development center in Statesville for a number of years, and Bob and Vonnie lived in Statesville at the time of his death. At Bob’s death, he joined his parents, Mavis and Jesse, and sister Jeannie.  He is survived by his wife, Vonnie.  He is also survived by his daughter, Kakki and husband, Ed (Edwards, Harrison and Caroline), and by his son, Bob, Jr., and wife, Heather Griffin (Rob, Alex and Margaret).  Vonnie’s children, Kelsey Kenley (Rudy), Janell Hallman, and Rayna Wilson also survive.  Together, they have 11 children. Bob is also survived by his sister, Jane Dugan (and Bill, Sr.) of Fremont, NE, and brother Rick (and Sonja) of Sioux Falls, SD.  His nephews, Bill, Jr. (Jane), Patrick (Jane), Jake (Rick) and Paul (Rick) also managed to survive Uncle Bob’s practical jokes—hopefully unscarred.  The visitation will be Friday, February 27, 2015 at Nicholson Funeral Home from 7-9 pm.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 28 at First Presbyterian Church in Statesville at 3 pm.  A private, family internment of ashes will occur at a later date. We hope you will join his family in remembering this wonderful, intelligent, compassionate, and caring grandfather as he truly was—a man who cared about his family and his community.  We celebrate his life!