James Douglas McLurkin

Rev. James Douglas McLurkin, Jr., 83, of Sharon, SC was called to his eternal home on November 2, 2026. He was born in Rock Hill, SC on October 1, 1943, and was the son of the late James Douglas and Leecy Belle Maloney McLurkin. Jim earned the Associate of Arts degree from Wingate College in 1963, and the Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina in 1968. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Erskine Theological Seminary in 1980. He faithfully ministered in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church including pastorates at Parkway Place in Little Rock, AR (1980-1982); New Covenant in Charlotte, NC (1982-1998); and Crowders Creek in Gastonia, NC (1998-2007).

 He entered honorable retirement on December 31, 2007 and moved to his family home in Sharon, SC. Not one to leave the ministry completely, he was subsequently named Stated Supply Pastor of the Sharon ARP Church. He later also served as Stated Supply Pastor of the Edgemoor ARP Church. Jim had a lifelong love of auto mechanics, woodworking, and tinkering in his workshop, where he could often be found fixing, building, or creating something useful. He was resourceful and had a special gift for making do with what he had, finding ways to create what he needed with his own hands and ingenuity. While he took great joy in these practical pursuits, what he would most want to be remembered for was not what he made, but whom he served. Above all, Jim loved his Savior, Jesus Christ, and it was his greatest desire to live a life devoted to loving and serving Him. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Troy Horton, whom we remember with love. He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, the former Nora Weir of Blackstock, SC; a daughter, Elise Horton (the late Troy) of Mooresville, NC; a daughter, Anna Margaret O’Connor (Chris) of Fayetteville, TN; and grandchildren, Mac O’Connor (LeLe), Meg O’Connor and Gentry Horton.

 A memorial service will be held at Hopewell ARP Church ,1341 Hopewell Church Rd., in Blackstock, SC, on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 1:00 pm with the Rev. Andrew Shoger and Dr. Dwight Pearson officiating. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to Bonclarken Conference Center (bonclarken.org) 500 Pine Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.ocm