James Carter Burrus Sr.

Jim was born in 1939 in Washington, NC, to William Pell Burrus and Laura Carter Burrus. He was the youngest of three brothers (Robert, Charles, and William) and sister Margaret. He graduated from East Hyde High School.

He went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he met Mary Ruth Duncan in the audio visual department. He also joined Air Force ROTC Detachment 590.

In one weekend in June of 1962, he married Mary, graduated from college, and received his Air Force commission.

After 20 years of Air Force service (including a tour in Vietnam) Jim and Mary and their two children (James and Amy) moved to Cary, NC, to return to their home state and be near family.

Jim enjoyed going to area bluegrass festivals, visiting family, and fixing lamps.

He was a charter member of Woodhaven Baptist Church in Apex, NC, and enjoyed working with Mary in the children’s ministry.

Jim and Mary celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2022 before she passed away later that year.

Left to cherish his memories are: son James and granddaughter Maria; daughter Amy Cruickshank and son-in-law Bryan; sisters-in-law Fann Burrus, Joyce Duncan, and Mary Anne Duncan; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

A visitation for James will be held Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 Southeast Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511. A funeral service will be held at Brown Wynne Cary, 200 Southeast Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511, Friday May 9,2025 at 11:00am. The committal service will follow at North Chapel Hill Baptist Church, 7707 NC 86N, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 beginning at 1:00pm.