James "Jim" Gann

After a long and courageous battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), James Daniel Gann (Jim), 77, of Harrisburg, North Carolina, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2022. He was residing at the home of his eldest son, Brylan, and daughter-in-law, Cindy, in Landis, North Carolina.

Jim was born July 15, 1944, in Bessemer City, NC, to the late Samuel Grover Gann and the late Thelma Ruby Gann and was preceded in death by his brothers Cecil Gann, Olin Gann, and his sister Laura Keys. Jim is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Betty Jo Sarrels Gann, his three sons, Brylan, Darren, Sam Gann and their wives Cindy, Jordan, and Sonya respectively. Jim has eight grandchildren: Braeden, Sawyer, Caimbree, Aniston, Dalton, Thatcher, and Charleston Gann, who will remember their grandfather from this side of eternity. His granddaughter Townes Wynter Gann preceded him in death April 6th of 2020; undoubtedly, she met her grandfather for the first time in eternity when God ushered Jim home!

Serving in the United States Coast Guard and stationed in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Jim was honorably discharged in 1966. In 1967, he married the love of his life Betty Gann. Their story began by a chance meeting in Childress, Texas, while he cleaned the windshield of her car. The rest is history.

Jim was an executive in the coal mining industry. Moreover, he joined Scandura in 1977, where he worked in sales several years before being promoted to Executive Vice President and later Chief Operating Officer. In 2001, he retired, but due to his excellent work ethic, he was asked to return in 2009.  Furthermore, he served as former COO & EVP over Marketing and Distributing of Conveyor Belting for Fenner Dunlop Americas.

During his eight-year retirement Jim Gann became an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. Eventually, he served as Executive Pastor of First Assembly of God in Concord, NC, from 2001 - 2006. A little-known fact is that Jim’s name can be found on IMDB, as he also pursued acting after his corporate retirement in 2009. He enthusiastically worked with Brock Talent Agency landing many commercial roles, a few movie appearances, and some small roles for three seasons on the hit TV series Homeland.

Jim loved God, reading deeply, music of all genres; especially the music of Paul Cardall, and watching British Crime Dramas along with his wife, Betty. Anyone who knew Jim would recall his sharp wit, amazing oratory skills, silky earnest voice, and that remarkable warm smile shared with everyone he met.

Above and beyond his many accomplishments, Jim loved and honored his Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. In Matthew 7:16, Jesus speaks to his disciples explaining that we shall be known by our fruit, and Jim certainly maintained that distinction. He was a selfless friend and mentor to everyone displaying a keen sense of duty to sincerely support those with needs, while simultaneously articulating grace-filled comfort and wisdom that left others feeling heard, understood, and guided. Jim’s life was characterized by humor and fervor for family and friends to celebrate with food and nostalgic tales that quite often resulted in memorable laughter.

Quite simply, Jim Gann’s life demonstrated an unrelenting selfless love for others. He will truly be missed. However, in an instant, last Wednesday evening as the sun set just below the horizon casting its beautiful purple and orange sky, Jesus healed Jim. He is now in Glory with his Savior with no more pain, no more fatigue, no frailities, nor encumbrances. He is at peace. He is home.

The funeral service will be on Saturday at 12:00 pm at Greater Life Church at 3821 Matthews-Mint Hill Road in Matthews, NC 28105. Burial will follow at the Bessemer City Memorial Cemetery. All memorials should go to MSA Coalition, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization -9935-D Rea Road, #212. Charlotte, NC 28277.

Dwight L. Moody gave a sermon years before his death in 1899, which referenced a reminder to his congregants that when his life ends here on earth, he will be alive in heaven. I have included his words here as they are fitting for this event and represent a message Dad loved and would want to share with you.

“Someday you will read in the papers that Jim Gann, husband of Betty, father of 3 sons, grandfather to 8 grandchildren of Harrisburg, NC, is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it! At that moment, I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have gone up higher, that is all; out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal—a body that death cannot touch; that sin cannot taint; a body fashioned like unto His glorious body.”

We love you, James Daniel Gann.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Gann family.