Mr. Fulton Jacob Gurley, age 78, of West Jefferson passed away Saturday morning, May 9, 2020 at Ashe Memorial Hospital. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Mr. Gurley was born in Durham, NC on June 23, 1941 to the late Harvey and Mattie Harrell Gurley. He served in the United States Navy Reserves. He owned and operated South Eastern Auto Parts. Mr. Gurley is survived by: his wife, Brenda Shull Gurley; a son, Tommy Gurley, of West Jefferson; a step daughter, Lynn Lewis, of Greensboro; a brother, John Hunt Gurley, of Timberlake, NC; several nieces and nephews also survive.