James Israel Spurling

James Israel Spurling Obituary

Our collective Tar Heel hearts are broken today. On February 5, 2026, we lost one of the greatest Tar Heels who ever walked the face of the Earth. James Israel Spurling, 68, a native of Granville County and long-time resident of Chapel Hill, passed away at UNC Hospitals with loved ones by his side. He was of the Baptist faith and dedicated his life to the Lord at a young age.

To know James was to love him, whether you knew him for five minutes or fifty years. He lit up a room with his smile and boundless energy. Everyone gravitated to him, from 2-year-olds to 90-year-olds. They just wanted to be in his presence. James treated everyone with the same respect and dignity. It didn’t matter who you were-you were important to him. His larger-than-life personality and joy for living were admired by all those who were lucky enough to know him. There are thousands of James Spurling stories, and everyone has one (or a hundred) that they will never forget.

The only rival to his immense love for Carolina Athletics and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol was his love for his family and thousands of friends. His heart was big enough. Always.

How could anyone ever count the wedding proposals James helped orchestrate on the fifty-yard line at Kenan Stadium? Or the babies whose arrivals he was among the first to know? How many students and friends found jobs because James “made a call” and quietly put in a good word?

How many people know he once delivered a baby in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot in Creedmoor at just eighteen, serving on the local EMS team? How many families facing cancer leaned on him to help navigate the hospital system? And how many strangers walked through the gates of Kenan Stadium, met James on his golf cart, and instantly felt like part of the Carolina family?

The numbers would be staggering if we could ever count them.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Patsy Wilkins Spurling Boone and James Wade Spurling, and sister Donna Lee Spurling.

He is survived by his sisters, Martha Reaves, Phyllis Lloyd Mangum (Mike), Dorothy Spurling, all of Creedmoor, North Carolina and beloved companion, Dawn Williams, of Chapel Hill, nephews Wade Reaves (Summer), Gerald Lloyd (Ashley), and Thomas Lloyd (Melissa). Also, his great-nephews, Nathan, Jack, Ben, Brady, Andrew, and a great-niece, Harper.

James was the owner and operator of Eastgate BP in Chapel Hill for 23 years, known as the popular hotspot to catch up on all Tar Heel news and gossip. It was frequented by everyone in the Carolina world – from chancellors, to coaches, to athletic directors, to students, to the entire Carolina community. After selling the business, he became a long-time volunteer with the football program, prior to becoming the Director of Kenan Stadium and the Kenan Football Center, in 2006.

James was the recipient of multiple awards and special recognitions including the following:

1998 - chosen by the Governor’s Office and the Colonel of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol as an honorary lifetime member.

2003 – Paul Rizzo and his wife, Sidna, endowed a full football scholarship in James’ name, in appreciation for his life-long love of all things Carolina.

2003 – named to the Rams Club Board of Directors and honored in 2005 with the Director of the Year award. He was also chosen as a board member of the year in 2004.

2007 – chosen to receive the UNC Iron Man award, the only non-football player to ever be selected.

2009 – received the Ernie Williamson award by UNC Athletics, for his loyalty to the university, the athletics department, and student-athletes.

2015 – received the Distinguished C. Knox Massey award, a coveted distinction earned by UNC faculty and staff.

2021 – the James Spurling West Concourse at Kenan Stadium was named and dedicated in his honor.

A Celebration of Life, honoring James will be held on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 3 p.m. at Carmichael Arena on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill. The family will receive friends with a reception after the service. Burial services will be held on Monday, February 16, 2026 at 2 p.m. at Carolina Memorial Gardens in Creedmoor, North Carolina. Both services are open to all who wish to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please direct contributions to The Educational Foundation (The Rams Club) to support the Carolina Football Operating Endowment. James was a proud member of The Rams Club and these gifts will be able to provide long term support to the football program. Checks can be made out to The Educational Foundation and mailed to: PO Box 2446, Chapel Hill, NC 27515 or contributions can be made online at http://ramsclub.com/endowfb

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the entire UNC Family, The Rams Club, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for the love and care bestowed upon them during this difficult time.