Dr. James Michael “Mickey” Efird, 88, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, at Duke Hospital.
He was born in Kannapolis, the son of the late James Rufus Efird and I.Z. Christy Efird. In addition to his parents, Dr. Efird was preceded in death by his son, Anthony Kevin “Tony” Crumpler.
Dr. Efird was a professor emeritus at Duke Divinity School. Dr. Efird began teaching in the Divinity School as a graduate student in 1958, and joined the faculty full time in 1962, as professor of Biblical Interpretation. He taught Greek and biblical studies to generations of students. He earned an A.B. degree at Davidson College, graduating Phi Beta Kappa; M.Div. at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary; and his Ph.D. at Duke University.
Dr. Efird was an ordained Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister and served for nearly 50 years as an interim supply pastor for various churches. Committed to making the Bible understandable and properly understood for pastors and laity alike, he was extremely active in the Divinity School Lay Academy program and taught in churches of many denominations in North Carolina and throughout the country.
He first taught in the United Methodist Church’s Course of Study program in 1966 and continued to do so for many years, even in retirement. He wrote 13 books and more than 60 articles, many of which can be found in the Harper-Collins One Volume Bible Dictionary. Encouraged by his father, Dr. Efird was a loyal Blue Devils fan for more than 60 years.
Dr. Efird is survived by his wife, Vivian Efird; daughter, Michelle Rosen and husband, Rocky; daughter-in-law, Teresa Crumpler; grandchildren, Heather Holloway and husband, Bryan, Tegan Crumpler-Hall and husband, Stephen, Hillary Rosen and husband, Peter Larson, Stephanie Rosen, Taylor Wuliger and husband, Daniel; and great-grandchildren, Riley Holloway, Ryan Holloway, Rowan Holloway.
Service details are currently pending at this time. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, face coverings and social distancing are required for all services. We ask that anyone experiencing cold/flu-like symptoms please stay home.
Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc.
Published by Concord & Kannapolis Independent Tribune on Feb. 21, 2021.