Robert Jackson Gourley

Robert Jackson Gourley, 22, of Concord, passed away unexpectedly at his home Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017.

Jackson’s too-short life will be celebrated beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, at his church, Forest Hill United Methodist, with the Rev. Mandy Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the church beginning at 9:30 a.m.

A Cabarrus County native, Jackson was born Nov. 5, 1994, to Helen M. Rogers and Daniel (Danny) Francis Gourley. He was preceded in death by his father and his paternal grandmother, Richardine Jenkins Gourley, who passed within nine days of each other in 2014, and his grandfathers, William G. Gourley and Maj. Walter Francis Rogers, USMC.

Jackson attended Concord High School and graduated from the Performance Learning Center in 2013. He honed his sandwich-making skills at Subway and learned the most direct routes through and around Concord delivering Papa John’s pizzas. He studied at Central Piedmont Community College and was preparing for a new career opportunity in the insurance industry. Jackson’s kind and compassionate nature, coupled with a special way with words—a gift inherited from and shared with his father—made him a natural for customer service work. He enjoyed playing golf with his father, a former golf pro, and listening to rap music. He was a life-long fan of the Carolina Panthers and the UNC Tar Heels.

In addition to his mother, Helen, survivors include his maternal grandmother, Frances Swaringen Brown; a special “Aunt Mommy”, Ann R. Fink; a special friend, Gianna Jimenez, all of Concord; step-mother, Rita A. Balaban of Durham; a half-sister, Sarah Gourley Murphy of South Carolina; a half-brother, Daniel Francis Gourley, Jr., of Florida; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Indiana.

Contributions in Jackson’s memory may be directed to the Cabarrus County Boys and Girls Club Football Program, 247 Spring St. NW, Concord, NC, 28025.