[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

FURGERSON, Lee Burton 1937-1998

FURGERSON, NASH, SLOAN, HARRIS, WILLIAMS

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 8/3/2012 at 13:39:04

[Cedar Rapids Gazette, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1998

Lee Burton Furgerson Jr., of Des Moines, formerly of Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Oct. 2, 1998, at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines. Mr. Furgerson died from heart disease. Contributing to his death were diabetes, a circulatory impairment and high blood pressure. Mr. Furgerson also suffered from a kidney disorder, which led to a kidney transplant.

He was preceded in death by his father, L. B. Furgerson, M.D., in 1948, and his mother, Lily Furgerson, in 1973.

Two services were held in Des Moines on Tuesday, Oct. 6, a morning Mass at Visitation Catholic Church, and an ecumenical service in the afternoon at Corinthian Baptist Church. Estes Nichols Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Furgerson was a 1955 graduate of East Waterloo High School and attended the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. He was employed by Blue Cross/Blue Shield until his retirement in 1990. There he was an administrator of the Northwestern Bell account. He also chaired the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Human Rights Council.

In 1972, he and his wife, Penny, co-founded Gateway Dance Theatre as an alternative to ballet and standard dance studies in Des Moines. They offered lessons to children and adults, focusing on dance styles from India, Africa and the Caribbean. They reached out to those who might not have had this opportunity for cultural enrichment. The group received both local and national acclaim.

Mr. Furgerson was a member of the Iowa Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and for several years chaired the commission. He served as vice president of Planning for United Way and chairman of the Model Cities/Gateway Opportunity Center. He belonged to the National Black Child Development Institute, Inc. He had a keen sense of justice and was dedicated to making his community a better place for all.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Penny; three sons, Lee B. Furgerson III of Des Moines, G., Thomas Furgerson of Burbank, Calif., and John D. Furgerson of Minneapolis; four sisters, Martha Nash and Betty Jean Furgerson, both of Waterloo, Rebecca Sloan of Cedar Falls and Lileah Harris of Cedar Rapids; daughter-in-law, Stephanie Williams; two step-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, L. B. Furgerson, M.D., in 1948, and his mother, Lily Furgerson, in 1973.

The family wishes to express appreciation to those who have so strongly supported us during Lee's illness and since his death.

Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Waterloo

---------------------------------
SSDI:
Name: Lee B. Furgerson
State of Issue: Iowa
Date of Birth: Tuesday June 15, 1937
Date of Death: Friday October 02, 1998
Est. Age at Death: 61 years, 3 months, 17 days
Confirmation: Verified
Last known residence:
City: Des Moines
County: Polk
State: Iowa


 

Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen

[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]