James Roy Peach

DATELINE: BESSEMER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA

James Roy Peach

July 11, 1984 - December 10, 2025

James Roy Peach passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, after a courageous 10-year cancer battle. James fought bravely, often suffering in silence, to spare the feelings of other people. After his third surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC, he donated his rare teratoma tumors to cancer research, hoping to help someone else in the future.

James was a graduate of Ashbrook High School and attended Gaston College. He was employed by Harris Teeter. He loved his job working with the public, friends, and colleagues Gary Farris, Charlie Brown, and Bessie Hopper.

When James could no longer work, he continued to enjoy gaming, music, movies, and whatever sport was in season. His favorite team was the Florida Gators. Go, Gators! He was featured on ESPN twice, wearing full Florida Gators game gear at a USC baseball and a USC basketball game. As their guest, he was captured sitting behind the Florida basketball team and was seen shaking hands with the USC Athletic Director after the Florida victory.

His love for the Boston Red Sox inspired him to set a personal goal to visit every baseball stadium in the US. He visited nearly half, seeing the Sox play in such cities as Boston, Detroit, NYC, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, Oakland, and Seattle. Likewise, his interest in golf led him to create his own tournament, The JP Invitational. He shared special times with his golf buddies, pledging never to be last.

James was a bright light on this earth. He will be missed for his kindness, gentle spirit, sense of humor, sweet smile, and his courage. He would want everyone to keep their own light shining bright. Special thanks to Levine oncologist Dr. Earle Burgess and Nurse Pamela Tiseo for keeping James' light shining during his 10-year cancer journey.

James is survived by his mother, Jean Goforth Peach; father Charles Arthur Peach (Pamela Pearson); sisters Katherine Peach, Sally Peach (Camilo Guaqueta); uncles George E. Goforth (Jackie), John Goforth (Paula), Mike Peach; aunt Ann Rosi; cousins Gabby Rosi (Kirby), Domino Rosi (Erika), Marty Goforth (Amanda), and Brad Goforth (Rebekah); nephew Blaze Guaqueta Peach; and special friends Gary Farris, Charlie Brown, Terry Corley, Allan Homesley, Steve Homesley, Tommy McNeely, Jerry Morrison, and Ralph Procter.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Monday, December 15, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Beulah Stony Point Community Church Cemetery, 1534 Stony Point Road, Shelby, NC 28150, with Reverend Justin Lowe and Becky Greene, Director of Spiritual Formation officiating

INTERMENT: Beulah Stony Point Community Church Cemetery, Shelby NC

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Levine Cancer Research Innovations Fund at https://tinyurl.com/jamespeachdonation or to First United Methodist Church Youth Ministries, PO Box 218, Gastonia, NC 28053.

GUEST REGISTER AVAILABLE AT WWW.HARRISFUNERALS.COM

ARRANGEMENTS: HARRIS FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA