James Elroy Gore

Eagle River, Alaska

James Elroy Gore, 88, of Eagle River, Alaska passed away peacefully July 23, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska with his family by his side.

Born on September 18, 1936 in Tabor City NC, he was the son of the late Jessie James “Jim” Gore and Sally Ruth (Fipps) Gore.

Elroy  was raised in Columbus County, NC, the Bethel Community on a Tobacco Farm. He was a graduate of Williams Township High School, class of 1954.  On the advice of his high school math teacher Olive B. Wright he joined the U.S. Army and became a Microwave Technician. Ms. Wright’s sage advice led Elroy on to a long and successful career.

Elroy  served  in  the  U.S.  Army  for  three  years.  Using  the  G.I.Bill  he  graduated  from DeVry Instiitute in Chicago, Illinois with a degree in communications. This led him to Alaska where he began his career with RCA which later became Alascom AT&T.   He retired after 45 years of service as Executive Vice President.

He married the late Joann Beck of Columbus County NC in 1963. They were married 35 years when she passed from breast cancer in 1998. They had two children, Tanya Anne Gore (Durrett) and Jeremy James Gore who survive him.

He is preceded in death by his brother Jimmy Milton Gore, and sister-in-law Daneen Gore.

He is survived by his brother Jesse Gore of Aberdeen, NC, sister Betty Ruth Greene and brother-in-law  E.W.  Greene  of  Clarendon  NC,  sister-in-law  Betty  Faye  Gore  of Charleston SC. Daughter-in-law Karen (wife of Jeremy) Gore of Eagle River, Alaska and son-in-law Andy (husband of Tanya) Durrett of Anchorage. Granddaughter’s Tia Gore of Eagle River, Alaska and Kassidy Gore of Alpharetta, Georgia. Grandson Marcus Durrett (wife  Jodi)  of  Anchorage,  Alaska  and  great  grandsons Cobin and  Tucker Durrett  of Anchorage,  Alaska.  Cousin  Jackson  Gore of  Whiteville,  NC and numerous  nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Elroy accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior as an adolescent attending Sweet Home Baptist Church in Clarendon NC.   He was deeply devoted to his church First Baptist in Eagle River, Alaska serving as Deacon, Sunday School and Training Union teacher and many other positions.

We celebrate that Elroy is in his eternal heavenly home with the Lord God Almighty.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 3:00pm in Inman Ward Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Tabor City, NC. 

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service in the chapel. 

A service of Inman Ward Funeral Home & Crematory of Tabor City. 

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