Charles Furman III

Charles M. Furman, III CHARLOTTE - Charles M. Furman, III, 81, of Charlotte, died peacefully at home Saturday, June 13, 2015, with family at his side. "Charlie" as known to all, was born in Greenville, SC on March 11, 1934 and moved to Charlotte at an early age with his parents, Charles M. Furman, Jr. and Dorothy Martin Furman. Always active, as a boy he delivered newspapers, worked at Butler's Seafood, spent summers as a lifeguard and began his love of golf at Myers Park Country Club. One of his favorite childhood memories was attending the Kemper Open which he credited for giving him the "golf bug"! After graduating from Central High School, Charlie attended Sewanee where he played golf and basketball. He was notable in the family for a line in a letter he wrote to his parents from college stating, "I've got it all figured out - all I have to do is study when I'm not playing golf!" That self direction sooner, rather than later, landed him in the U. S. Army (at his mother's insistence!) He served three total years in the Army, of which two in Germany were his favorite. Charlie would often share a few choice words he learned in German and continued to love wiener schnitzel for the remainder of his life. After the Army, Charlie graduated from the University of North Carolina where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and was a valuable member of the golf team. He returned home to Charlotte and began his career in the life insurance industry. Charlie and his wife, Sue, celebrated his 50th anniversary with Transamerica and helped many families through their work at Furman Insurance and Investments. During his leisure time, Charlie continued to enjoy playing golf and cards with a group of close friends. He was also a talented fisherman and avid bird-watcher from his expansive vista over the lake and 15th tee at Carmel Country Club. Charlie is survived by his wife of 29 years, Sue Ballard Furman; his daughters, Laura Grice (Charlotte) and Ashley Valentine (San Francisco); brother, Robert Martin Furman (Johnson City, TN) and grandchildren, Ashley, Aislinn, Bennett, Chloe, Laura, Ellery and Emelia, who referred to him as "Grandfather". He had a very special relationship with his step-son, Jay Antoon, and daughter-in-law, Chanda. He and Jay enjoyed many years of fishing together and sharing gardening and cooking tips. He was especially grateful to Chanda for her home-cooked meals. Charlie's son-in-law, Robert (Bob) Valentine, is an expert fisherman and Bob enjoyed showing him all the best fishing spots in the San Francisco Bay. He is survived by his first cousins: James H. Furman (Austin, TX) Richard Furman (Orlando, FL) and Nell Furman Neunhoffer (Plano, TX); James C. Furman (Greensboro, NC) Joan Furman (Nashville, TN) and John Furman (Salem, VA); Furman Hewitt (Easley, SC) and Richard Hewitt (Greenville, SC) and Judy Nolen (Atlanta, GA). In-laws who knew and understood Charlie well, include Ron and Sylvia Ballard, Joe and Carla Liles and their daughter Christian Liles Howe of Rockingham, NC. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 18th at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, 2701 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209. Contributions to St. Jude Hospital for Children in lieu of flowers would be appreciated. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington Chapel. An online guestbook is available at www.heritagecares.com.