Samuel Strause

Samuel Lewis Strause CHARLOTTE - Samuel Lewis Strause, 83, passed away at home on Wednesday morning, November 4, 2015. Born in Statesville, NC in 1932, Sam graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a major in business. After serving as a second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, Sam joined his father's business, the Deb Shop in Charlotte, and was joined later by his brother, Leonard. The two brothers started Julie's Ladies Clothing Stores in 1971, where he worked until retirement in 1985. Sam Strause served as president of Temple Israel from 1970-1971, later serving as lifetime president for 40 years. Sam's love of golf was bested only by his love for his wife, the late Alene Cohen, whom he married in 1960; his children, Lisa Levinson (Lucky), Julie Weiser (David), Jay Strause (Michelle); and grandchildren, Alan Platock, Sarah Platock, Jacob Weiser, Noah Weiser, and Eli Weiser. Sam Strause will be missed by friends, too many to mention, all beneficiaries of his generous spirit. For the last four years, Susan Reiner Lourie has been an unfailing companion and source of loving comfort, during which time the Strause and Lourie families happily blended seamlessly. Special thanks go to Dr. David Framm and his family for their constant support. A funeral service will be held 2 pm Friday, November 6, at Temple Israel. Interment will follow at Hebrew Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Temple Israel. Condolences may be offered at www.HarryandBryantFuneralHome.com.