Rep. Fulghum dies after short battle with cancer

Fulghum was diagnosed with cancer of the stomach and esophagus on June 28, according to his wife, Mary Susan Fulghum. A week later, on July 3, he withdrew from his state Senate campaign.

"We had a wonderful life together," said Mary Susan Fulghum. "We had a rich and full life."

The Fulghums met in high school when he was 16 and she was 15. They attended medical school together, married and had two daughters. They recently celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary.

One of their daughters worked in the General Assembly as Fulghum's legislative assistant and said it "was an honor to work with him and to watch him work."

"I think the most important thing he brought downtown was the courage of his convictions. When you have that, I think you have a real desire and ability to hear the other side of things without becoming adversarial," Emily Roberson said Sunday.

"He's always been that way – as a husband, a father and a physician. I was so proud of him for always being willing to invite folks to his office who disagreed with him – that's something we both felt strongly about from the very beginning," Roberson added. "In this political environment, I know his steadiness and his thoughtful approach to any issue was something that I, along with colleagues and constituents, treasured and admired."

Just last week, the House and Senate passed his House Bill 644, requiring state regulations to protect medical providers who work with chemotherapeutic agents. That bill was presented to Gov. Pat McCrory on July 16, but as of Friday, it had not yet been signed. 

McCrory released a statement Sunday about Jim Fulghum's passing, saying he was sorry to hear the news.

"As a medical doctor, Jim had a professional and personal passion for helping those in his community and state. Wake County and all of North Carolina lost a great man today," McCrory said.

McCrory ordered flags at all state facilities to be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday.

House Speaker Thom Tillis also released a statement, saying "the residents of Wake County were lucky to have Dr. Fulghum represent them."

"His leadership as a legislator was second only to his compassion and expertise as a doctor serving his constituents and the state of North Carolina," Tillis said. "He was a friend who will be missed by me and our entire chamber, and my deepest sympathies go to his family and friends during this very difficult time."

After one term in the House, Jim Fulghum was running this year to replace Sen. Neal Hunt, R-Wake, who did not seek re-election after five terms in the state Senate.

Jim Fulghum handily won his Republican primary against Apryl Major in May and was due to face off in the November general election against Democrat Tom Bradshaw, a former Raleigh mayor and former state transportation secretary.