James "Don" Fuhrmann

James Fuhrmann Obituary

J. Donald Fuhrmann VIRGINIA BEACH - James Donald "Don" Fuhrmann, 82, passed away peacefully on the night of Sept. 17, 2008, with family and friends by his side. Don retired as a lieutenant colonel from the Air Force in 1972 after 22 years of active service. He then taught middle school math for 14 years in Northern Virginia before he moved to Virginia Beach with his wife in the late 1980s. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1992, he helped form the first prostate cancer support group for the Tidewater area. Don was very active in his local church, Tidewater Central Church of the Nazarene, and was loved and respected by all his family and many friends. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marge; his two sons and their wives, Jeff and Gail, Ron and Donna; five grandchildren, Christopher, Craig, Claire, Zach and Curtis; one great-grandson, Isaiah; and brother, Robert Fuhrmann of California. The family will receive friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel, Sunday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The funeral to celebrate his life will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in Tidewater Central Church of the Nazarene where military honors will be accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth St., Santa Monica, CA 90401. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.

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Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Sep. 20, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for James Fuhrmann

3 Entries

Jeff & Angela Talbott

September 22, 2008

"Most military people live their lives away from home and when you are away from home, you seem to miss it more. But with Don and Marge Fuhrmann, they seemed to bring home to you. Don, "the Colonel" as I referred to him as, was nothing short of a hero to myself and my family.

As a fellow military member, I gazed at him with wonder as a young enlisted sailor while listening to his adventures in Africa with Eddie Rickenbacker; I was amazed by his going up and down the ranks for command inspections on a unicycle; and was most intrigued by the fact that he was once a sailor and retired as a LtCol in the United States Air Force. There was nothing more proud for me than to have LtCol Fuhrmann stand as my reenlisting officer.

As a friend, the Fuhrmann's welcomed my family with open arms, whether it was at a 4th of July cookout; or a lazy summer day by the pool, Don and Marge always had hot dogs "at the ready".

As a jokester, you could aways count on Don for a good one. Whether it was using my parents to fool his sister during his flight into believing that my Dad and his sister were long lost friends while never really knowing each other or whether it was Shannon Wright and I making him believe that my hand was bleeding during "The Promise" and having him run around the foyer trying to call 911, Don was always part of some great humor. You could always count on Don to put his arm around my wife Angela and ask her "what she did wrong to get with a guy like me?" and then offer himself if ever she got tired of me.

As Christian's, Don and Marge stood by my side when the world was seemingly against me and said "it will be alright, God has a plan for you". When I received my commission in the United States Army, who was the first salute from? Don and Marge in a photograph wearing his dress uniform. To try and sum up what Don meant to my family and I in just a few simple words would be near impossible, a test in futility.

As I write this from just southeast of Baghdad, I try and put my swirling thoughts into words, but I cannot, I am at a loss. In essence Don was a hero, to his country, to his family, to his wife, to his friends and most importantly, to his Father in Heaven, where he is now. Don, "well done, thou good and faithful servant"...you are home. Marge, you are a beautiful, loving wife and mother, we are so sorry for your loss and pain and wish you nothing but God's richest blessings and grace to fall upon you and your wonderful family.

Your friends, Jeff, Angela, Jeffrey, Erika and Sabrina Talbott"

Gloria Riga

September 21, 2008

Fuhrmann family,
It has been my pleasure to know the son Ron and his family for a few years, what a lovely testamony of a loving christian family. I know you will be missed by all of your family but what a blessing to know you will all meet again in heaven. I pray comfort, peace and also joy in memories, from our Lord Jesus Christ. your sister in Christ, Gloria Riga

Bob & Kathy Dixon

September 20, 2008

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.

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