James Emerson Kilgore

James Emerson Kilgore, 81, of Salisbury passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Giles and Gladys Kilgore, Sister-in-law Brenda Kilgore, Brother-in-law Bob McReynolds, and nephew Jason Kilgore.
He is survived by his wife Debi Kilgore, daughter Jennifer Stokes (Rick), Step-son Shane Martin (Ashley), step-daughter Jennifer Martin, grandsons Aaron Stokes (Katie) and Brayden Stokes, step-grandchildren Jackson Martin (Raemun), Raegan Dangerfield, and Riley Bays. brothers William "Bill" Kilgore, Jerry "Pat" Kilgore (Patricia), and Ray Kilgore (Patricia), sister Gay McReynolds, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jim was a loving father, son, grandfather, husband, and friend. Having family in multiple states did not stop him from visiting with everyone when he was able to do so. He was highly successful in his many endeavors and loved to mentor others after mastering a technique or skill. He loved to work, spend time with family and friends, share stories, and laugh. We mourn the loss of a caring and dedicated man who will be greatly missed.
To know Jim Kilgore was to know a friend who would give you the shirt off his back. Whether you knew him for 5 minutes or 50+ years, he knew your story, your accomplishments and your dreams. If you worked for him, know that when he came home after long days he would brag on your accomplishments and build you up, even if it wasn't always said to your face. If you worked with him or were a friend or family member, he told his family of all of your achievements and how proud of you he was. Even if we never met, it felt like we all were connected and knew each other closely through his stories. We knew of your wives and husbands, your children, your plans in life and everything he loved about you. He admired each and every one of you that he crossed paths with over the years in a unique way. It has been evident in the past few days that he has touched the lives of many.
Jim always had high aspirations in life. He was a true entrepreneur from his early years and he often told those of us who weren't old enough to remember, all about those days. Jim believed in serving his country and community and was a proud member of the National Guard. He also spent some time working as a VA state trooper. We heard stories of him learning to run a bulldozer with his dad, starting his first business at the junkyard, how he used to race Cadillacs in the TN and VA mountains, tales of his mother's cooking, antics with his brothers and sisters, all about his daughter and her family, how he met our mother on the old swap and shop channel selling a garage door, a nightclub he managed, a racetrack he owned, traveling in his RV, and how he started the longest business of his life, Log Home Builders. He was a true people person and networker. Many in the construction and log home business could count on him to find a solution to a damaged/distressed home or structure, knowing he would get it done right.
He liked to spend his days outside when possible and catching up with new or old friends on the phone in the evenings. He didn't know the meaning of sit still and was constantly fixing or working on something. Jim was passionate about politics and his family and had an appreciation for a traditional way of life.
Jim was 81 when he passed of natural causes, and he did so while working on a house. Even at his age he was still taking care of horses, changing large propane tanks, placing fences, driving across state lines in a rusty old diesel ford dually with a long gooseneck trailer up and down the mountain passes, and doing one of his favorite activities, driving his "tractor" around.
He has and will always be missed by his family and friends.
Services: The family will hold a celebration of life at the Legion Center located at 300 Legion GQ Street, Granite Quarry, NC 28146 and will receive family and friends from 6:00-8:00 PM on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
Lyerly Funeral Home is serving the Kilgore family. Online condolences may be made at www.lyerlyfuneralhome.com.