Steven Michael Jurisich

Steven Michael Jurisich, MD

January 19, 1958 – September 14, 2026

Dr. Steven Michael Jurisich rode his lawn mower straight into Heaven on September 14, 2026, peacefully at home and surrounded by the love of his family.

Steve was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and from an early age, he was determined, competitive, independent, and never one to back down from a challenge.

During his junior year of high school, Steve became the Louisiana State Champion in wrestling in his weight class. His success on the mat earned him multiple scholarship offers to continue wrestling in college.

Steve went on to attend Louisiana State University, where his curiosity and determination led him to earn multiple degrees and his Doctorate of Medicine. He often joked that he kept attending college at LSU because he loved going to the football games.

After completing his medical training, Steve made his home in Sanford, North Carolina, where he would spend the next 33 years serving the community as a general surgeon.

To Steve, being a physician was never simply a profession, it was a calling.

He treated his patients with genuine care, compassion, and kindness, forming relationships that extended far beyond the walls of his office. To his patients and the staff at Central Carolina Hospital (CCH), he became affectionately known simply as “Dr. J.”

It was nearly impossible for Steve to walk into a store or restaurant without running into one of his patients. More often than not, that patient would make their way over to him, ready to hug his neck.

He was loved by the people he cared for, and he loved them right back.

He treasured his patients, his colleagues, and especially his office staff, who became much more than coworkers; they became family.

His dedication to medicine and the Sanford community left a lasting legacy in many ways. Central Carolina Hospital recently honored Steve for his years of dedication with a ceremony where they dedicated the surgical suites in his honor.

But as much as Steve loved being a doctor, his greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, and Papa.

Steve leaves behind his loving and devoted wife, Amanda Jurisich, and his children: Natalie Gilmore (Tyler); Maggie-Ann Jurisich Toro (Braxton); Kayle Schlitz (Alan); Patrick Smith (Sarah); and Erin Spann (Joseph).

His favorite title of all was Papa.

Steve was the proud Papa of 15 wonderful grandchildren: Zahra, Noah-Ann, Maxwell “Max,” Sutton-Renee, Joanna, Thomas, Seamus, Charles “Charlie,” Levi-Kate, Mary-Michael, Collins, Meredith, Shyla-Faye, Henry, and Miles.

His family is also eagerly awaiting the arrival of Sadie-Mae, a precious granddaughter he was already looking forward to welcoming into the world.

Steve’s favorite days were often spent on the boat in Sneads Ferry, with his wife, Amanda, enjoying the simple pleasure of taking a boat ride together to get breakfast. And when the grandchildren were around, the boat became even more special. He loved loading up all the grandkids for a day at the sandbar, surrounded by the noise, laughter, excitement, and beautiful chaos that came with having his entire crew aboard. At the end of the day you could find them enjoying time at their favorite local spot, Rick’s where they built friendships that felt like family.

Some of his other favorite days were spent back in Louisiana with family there. He looked forward to every trip and to whatever project the kids had planned for him. Each trip he and Amanda took was planned around making sure he was able to enjoy all his favorite foods.

Steve also loved bringing his family together around the table, often through one of his favorite Cajun dishes. Cooking was one of the ways he showed love, and there was always room for one more at his table.

Steve was a fixer. In the Jurisich home, the phrase was always, “Papa fick it.”

And he did. He fixed booboos, toys, baby dolls, hearts, fishing poles, nursery equipment, and everything in between. If something was broken, hurting, or simply needed a little attention, Papa was the one everyone turned to.

Steve’s life was defined by caring for others. Whether he was caring for a patient, laughing with his grandchildren, cooking for his family, spending a day on the water, telling a story, giving someone a hard time, or simply giving someone a hug, he had a gift for making people feel loved and cared for.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louise and Alvin Jurisich; his brother, Peter Jurisich; his sister, Laurie Henderson; and his dear son, Joel Jurisich.

He leaves behind a family who will miss his laughter, his stories, his stubbornness, his wisdom, his generosity, his Cajun cooking, his love of the water, his determination to fix absolutely everything, and, most of all, his comforting hands.

His legacy will live on through the countless patients whose lives he touched, the staff and friends who loved him, his children, and the grandchildren who will carry his memory forward.

His love, laughter, kindness, stories, Cajun cooking, love of the water, and the sound of “Papa!” will forever remain a part of the family he cherished so deeply.

You were loved more than words can ever say. And you will be missed more than you will ever know.

Until we see you again.

In lieu of flowers, Steve requested that donations be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Tunnels to Towers Foundation.

In accordance with Steve’s wishes, his family will gather for a private celebration of life to honor and remember him.

Geaux Tigers!