Daniel M. Furr

Daniel Monroe Furr, 100, of 367 Kimberly Ave., Asheville, died Saturday, March 18, 2000, at his home after several months of declining health. The Furr family were early settlers (pre-American Revolution) in what is now the city of Concord, NC, where Mr. Furr was born to the late Aaron and Ellen Kimery Furr. A Furr family monument still stands near the old homeplace. Mr. Furr was also preceded in death by his wife Lissie Greene Furr; a son Daniel Furr Jr.; and four brothers. Dan attended the University of NC at Chapel Hill. He and his wife came to Asheville in 1925 and he was an inspector for the NC Highway Dept. He joined Asheville Paving Company in the early 1930's and soon became a partner and owner. Under his leadership, Asheville Paving Company paved many landmark roads in Western North Carolina, including Hwy. 441 through Soco Gap and the Blue Ridge Parkway. An avid outdoorsman, he was a lifelong member of the Black Mountain Rod & Gun Club. He leased and stocked a stream with trout near Black Mountain for 70 years and never missed an opening day of trout season in his entire adult life. Several local friends and relatives enjoyed fishing there. Among his more famous fishing buddies were two of President John F. Kennedy's Cabinet: Sec. of Commerce Luther H. Hodges and Sec. of Health, Education and Welfare Anthony J. Celebrezze; along with former Governor Daniel K. Moore. Dan was also an avid member of the Country Club of Asheville and the Wagon Train golf group there. There are several plaques at the club and his home honoring him as the club's oldest active golfer, which continued into his mid-90's. He was also a lifelong member the Downtown Club and the Asheville's Lions Club. He had been a elder in the First Presbyterian Church, Asheville and was also active in the congregation of First Presbyterian Church, Sebring, FL where he and his wife spent their winters. Survivors include a sister, Estelle F. Swain of Southport, NC; and numerous nieces, nephews going to great-great nieces & nephews, including a great-niece, Debra F. Sluder, and two great-great-nephews, Brittain Colin Arrington Sluder and Graham Daniel McIntyre Sluder all of Asheville. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, in the Campbell Chapel of First Presbyterian Church with Revs. Albert G. Peery and George Stulting, former pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Sebring, FL officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Cemetery. His family will receive friends in the Widman Room of the church one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, PO Box 16, Asheville, NC 28802. Groce Funeral Home, Patton Avenue is in charge of arrangements.