Harold Lewis Fulp

SWANSBORO - Harold Lewis Fulp, of Swansboro, NC, joined the saints triumphant on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at home. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Swansboro United Methodist Church. A graveside service will be held at a later date at Concord Presbyterian Church, in Statesville, NC.
Mr. Fulp was born on October 6, 1933, in Statesville, NC, son of Roy Lewis Fulp and Flora Caskaddon Fulp. He graduated from Scotts High School in 1951. During high school he began working his first job with the Playhouse Theatre and Hillcrest Drive-In Movie Theater, which sparked a lifelong love of movies.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953, and deployed to the 7th Army Headquarters in Vhiaeingen, Germany, where he was assigned as clerk typist in the command maintenance inspection division. When he returned to the States, Harold met Louise Goforth, to whom he was married on November 24, 1955. He worked for the city of Statesville Department of Public Works for 32 years. He started in 1957 as a third shift lab technician at the Water Plant and worked his way up to the position of Superintendent of Water Filtration and Sewage Treatment for the City of Statesville.
Harold was baptized at Concord Presbyterian Church, in Statesville, NC. He was a charter member of Monticello United Methodist Church, which was organized in his youth. He served as Sunday School Superintendent and Choir Director at Monticello Baptist Church, and later at Monticello United Methodist Church. When he retired and moved to Swansboro, NC, he was drawn to Swansboro United Methodist Church after a visit where he heard the choir sing, "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder." Choral music was a big part of his life beginning with music education in the public school. He participated in music wherever he could – a bluegrass band in Germany, church choirs, community choral societies, conferences, and the enjoyment of choral concerts and recordings.
Harold taught adult Sunday School for over 60 years and devoted himself to the study of scripture, church history, and Christian doctrine. He was trained as a designated lay preacher in the United Methodist Church, but enjoyed teaching more. He served Swansboro United Methodist as Lay Member to Annual Conference and as Chair of the Administrative Board.
Harold was an active member of his community. He donated blood as often as he could. He worked the polls for many elections. He never missed the opportunity to vote. Most recently, he served on the town board of Peletier, North Carolina, until 2023.
Harold shared his love of the natural world with his children and grandchildren. He was an avid fisherman in both fresh and saltwater locations, collected gemstones and artifacts, and led many expeditions into the woods, teaching the wisdom of the seasons, the sounds of birds and animals, and the names of plants and trees. He gardened from his childhood, and with the help of his family maintained a garden through his final summer.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Fulp, of Statesville, NC.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Louise Goforth Fulp; children, Roy Fulp (Elaine) of Statesville, NC, Jeff Fulp (Kathy) of Statesville, NC, Rev. Judith Fulp-Eickstaedt (Aaron) of Falls Church, VA, Roger Fulp (Susan) of Swansboro, NC; grandchildren, Jessica Fulp of Statesville, NC, Rebecca Hyunh (Xander) of Herndon, VA, Joshua Fulp (Desiree) of Swansboro, NC, Jennifer Fulp of Washington, NC, Martie Fulp-Eickstaedt of Richmond, VA, Jacob Fulp (Sarah) of Taylorsville, NC, Caleb Fulp (Caroline) of Swansboro, NC, Sarah Fulp of Swansboro, NC; great-grandsons, Noah and Levi Fulp of Swansboro, NC; sister, Margaret Fulp Wray (Alan) of Myrtle Beach, NC; brother, Larry Fulp (Catherine) of Ridgeland, SC; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be directed to the music fund or building fund of Swansboro United Methodist Church, 665 West Corbett Avenue, Swansboro, NC 28584.