James “Jim” Victor Gudaitis

James Victor Gudaitis (Jim), 73, of Durham, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2025 at Duke University Hospital with family members by his side, following a bone marrow transplant to treat lymphoma.

Jim was born November 27, 1951 in Birmingham, Michigan to William and Helen Gudaitis. Growing up, his family moved often between Michigan and Huntsville, Alabama. He attended Spring Hill College and obtained his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and master’s degree from Temple University. Jim began his career in policy analysis and teaching, moved into higher education advancement at Duke University and Davidson College for most of his career, and, following his initial retirement, served as the executive director of Blakey Hall Retirement Community.

Together with Christy, his wife of 43 years, Jim was an adoring parent to their children, Margie and Peter, and loving grandparent to Rory and Harper. Jim was the eldest of nine children and, each Fourth of July, enjoyed gathering with his siblings, nieces, and nephews at the family reunion at Lake Guntersville in Alabama.

Jim was a man of deep faith. Early in his life, he served in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. He was an active parishioner at St. Peter Catholic Church in Charlotte and then Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Durham. At Immaculate Conception, he was a eucharistic minister and devoted member of the Friends of Saint Francis, Lectio Divino, the Men’s Bible Study, the Green Team, and Meals for the Hungry. A further expression of his faith was walking the entire Camino de Santiago in 2017.

Living his faith, Jim dedicated himself to many charitable endeavors outside the church, especially those focusing on the incarcerated, the unhoused, and the hungry. In recent years, he served in the Prisoner Visitation and Support Program and ministered to individuals in jail and prison. He was a dedicated volunteer for Meals on Wheels Durham and the American Red Cross.

Jim will be remembered as an ardent environmentalist and supporter of renewable energies; as an outdoor enthusiast who loved hiking in the woods, camping, and kayaking, especially on the Eno and Flat Rivers; as an athlete who enjoyed many sports, and especially loved cycling and swimming; and as a good man and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and colleague, who led with generosity and compassion.

Jim is survived by wife Christy; children Margie Gudaitis Hess (Taylor) and Peter Gudaitis (Claire O’Brien); grandchildren Rory and Harper Hess; siblings David Gudaitis (Jan), Susan Katrein (Marty), Richard Gudaitis (Sheryl), Annie Brasseale (Pete), Mary Garrett (John), Claire Myers (Danny), Nancy Farrand (Keith), and Tom Gudaitis (Kerry); and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the caregivers at the Duke Blood Cancer Center and the Duke Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Program for their care and support.

On Sunday, February 16, a visitation will take place from 2:30-5pm at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home, 1113 West Main Street, Durham. On Monday, February 17, a funeral mass will be held at 11am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 810 West Chapel Street, Durham. Visitation at the church will start an hour before the mass and a reception will follow. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of all the ways Jim generously shared his time and resources, please consider contributing to Catholic Relief Services, Meals on Wheels Durham, or a charity of your choice, or consider volunteering your time to feed vulnerable populations in your area.