Mr. Edmund Russell Gurganus Sr., age 85, a resident of 109 Hodges Road, Washington, died Wednesday afternoon, August 23, 2017 at Vidant Beaufort Hospital.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Washington, officiated by Pastor Todd Parrish. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Russ Gurganus, Johnny Woolard, Elwood Ingalls, Gene Paul Edwards, Dave Miller and Lewis Carawan will serve as pallbearers.

Mr. Gurganus was born in Beaufort County on November 2, 1931, son of the late Dave and Carrie Dixon Gurganus. He graduated from Belvoir-Falkland High School. On December 16, 1956, he married the former Shirley Webster, who survives. Mr. Gurganus served his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He was known as the “Candy Man” and was self-employed with E.R. Gurganus Candy Company selling Gordon’s and Wise Potato Chips. Mr. Gurganus was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church in Washington and the Bunyan Ruritan Club. He loved woodworking, working in his yard and garden and was very active in his church.

In addition to his wife, Shirley, of the home, he is survived by his children: Edmund “Eddie” Russell Gurganus Jr. and wife Lulu of Washington, Kay Gurganus Godwin and husband Tony of Greenville and Jeffery Webster Gurganus and wife Lori of Pinetown; his grandchildren: Laura Beth Alligood and husband Tony of Washington, Russ Gurganus III and wife Lindsay of Washington, Adam Godwin of Vladimir, Russia, Michael Godwin of Boone, Harrison Gurganus of Pinetown; his great-grandchildren: Aylssa Edwards, Amber Alligood and Knox Gurganus, all of Washington; and his brother-in-law: Kenneth Stalls. His is also survived by his brother: Junior Gurganus of Greenville, the last surviving of nine siblings. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his infant daughter: Pamela Gail Gurganus; his siblings: Dewey Gurganus, Carrie Mae Hudnell, Joe Gurganus, Mary Weathersby, Mable Gurganus, Willard Gurganus, Ray Gurganus and Margaret Woolard.

The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 PM Friday at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington and other times at the home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to: First Free Will Baptist Church, 901 North Bonner Street, Washington, NC 27889; The Blind Center, P.O. Box 491, Washington, NC 27889 or to the charity of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Gurganus family.