James Alan Fureigh
November 6, 1926 — July 12, 2024
For once, Mr. Fureigh did not get his way. He and we just knew he would make it to 100. Born in Quitman, Arkansas to Jerry Fureigh and Mildred Nora Fureigh on November 6, 1926, James Alan Fureigh (97) was the oldest of four boys. Surrounded by his loving and devoted family, he met his Heavenly Father on Friday, July 12, 2024 on part of the same land he was born on. Mr. Fureigh, as he was known to most, was the epitome of the colloquial phrase “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.” His entrepreneurial spirit began at a very young age. As a youngster, he started selling the Arkansas Gazette on a downtown Little Rock corner. He soon created his own squad of newspaper peddlers developing a system for catching those that tried to pick up a paper without paying and also charging late fees for those that failed to pay on time.
Mr. Fureigh served his country entering the United States Army Air Corps and then later the United States Air Force. Miraculously, he survived both World War II and the Korean War. With his business acumen (someone found out he could type), wit, and charm, he was discovered by General Olde and became his right hand. He often regaled us with many war stories, his crazy antics, and even time in the Brig. Surely not his fault, he didn’t visit long.
Mr. Fureigh earned his degree and Masters degree in Business Administration putting himself through night school at Little Rock Junior College. He went to work for his mentor, Dabbs Sullivan at Acme Cleaners and eventually became Dabb’s partner in the business. He also opened a Bar and Grill called “One-Eyed Jacks” on Rebsamen Park Road where he made many friends and told many a tale to his loyal customers. After selling One-Eyed Jacks, he went to work for his long-time friend, Lyndell Lay, who moved him to Chicago to work as a mortgage banker. After a few years, Mr. Fureigh moved home to Little Rock and bought his first cleaners, Sturbridge Cleaners, and put his wife Cheryl (who had to have had the patience of Job) there to run it. After a year, they began running the business together and eventually built a thriving dry cleaning business that included 5 cleaners, a laundry, a custom drapery shop, an alteration Shop (Zip and Hem), and an Equipment Company. Mr. Fureigh served his community sitting on boards and leading philanthropic organizations- too many to mention all by name.
Mr. Fureigh believed in truly LIVING! He worked hard and played hard. One of his passions was snow-skiing. He served as President of the Little Rock Ski Club and led many trips to Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and even the Swiss Alps. Some of his happiest times were on the slopes. At 70, he had a few choice words for his doctor who encouraged him to retire his Rossignals and find a bit less strenuous way to spend his recreation time.
Another of his passions was his family. With his wife Cheryl Dianne Fureigh of 55 years, they built a life from the ground up. They had one daughter, Amy Elizabeth Fureigh, who gave them two beautiful grandchildren, Sophia Dianne Fureigh and James Robert Tidwell. These two babies became the heart and soul of Alan and Cheryl Fureigh. Mr. Fureigh raised Sophie and Jase to be strong and independent adults. Along with their MiMi and mother, he taught them everything he could including knowing God and his word, how to swim, how to ride a bike, how to shake hands and have a respectful conversation, how to work hard, and how to tell a dirty joke.
How can you tell the story of a man who lived 97 years, 6 months, and 6 days? You can’t. We will miss his counsel (his self-proclaimed talents in advice and lecture are legendary), his love, his devotion and support, and his powerful presence. He could certainly command a room. One of the last things he wrote to us and the hospital nurses taking care of him was, “It’s all Biden’s fault.” None of us will ever forget that last inappropriate joke, and we kept that hand-written note to frame. He is preceded in death by his father, Jerry Fureigh; his mother, Mildred Nora Tapley Fureigh Chambers; his brother, Wendel Fureigh; his daughter, Debbie Fureigh; and his son, Allen Ford. He leaves behind his wife, Cheryl Dianne Fureigh; daughters, Amy Elizabeth Fureigh, and Kathy Golden (Larry); brothers, Ray Fureigh and David Fureigh (Jeanie); grandchildren, Sophia Dianne Fureigh, James Robert Tidwell, Sherry Currasco (Nestor), Ashley Ford (Anita), Jackie Ford, Melissa Golden, and David Golden; and many other family members and friends.
Mr. Fureigh would ask that you honor his memory by donating to his church, New Life Church in Greenbrier, 43 Glenn Lane, Greenbrier, AR 72058 and voting for a Republican.
Many thanks to the nurses at UAMS and Gentiva Hospice. They took great care of Mr. Fureigh and us.
The Celebration of Life Service will be at 10:00am on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at New Life Church Greenbrier, 43 Glenn Lane Road, Greenbrier AR 72058.
Mr. Fureigh served his country entering the United States Army Air Corps and then later the United States Air Force. Miraculously, he survived both World War II and the Korean War. With his business acumen (someone found out he could type), wit, and charm, he was discovered by General Olde and became his right hand. He often regaled us with many war stories, his crazy antics, and even time in the Brig. Surely not his fault, he didn’t visit long.
Mr. Fureigh earned his degree and Masters degree in Business Administration putting himself through night school at Little Rock Junior College. He went to work for his mentor, Dabbs Sullivan at Acme Cleaners and eventually became Dabb’s partner in the business. He also opened a Bar and Grill called “One-Eyed Jacks” on Rebsamen Park Road where he made many friends and told many a tale to his loyal customers. After selling One-Eyed Jacks, he went to work for his long-time friend, Lyndell Lay, who moved him to Chicago to work as a mortgage banker. After a few years, Mr. Fureigh moved home to Little Rock and bought his first cleaners, Sturbridge Cleaners, and put his wife Cheryl (who had to have had the patience of Job) there to run it. After a year, they began running the business together and eventually built a thriving dry cleaning business that included 5 cleaners, a laundry, a custom drapery shop, an alteration Shop (Zip and Hem), and an Equipment Company. Mr. Fureigh served his community sitting on boards and leading philanthropic organizations- too many to mention all by name.
Mr. Fureigh believed in truly LIVING! He worked hard and played hard. One of his passions was snow-skiing. He served as President of the Little Rock Ski Club and led many trips to Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and even the Swiss Alps. Some of his happiest times were on the slopes. At 70, he had a few choice words for his doctor who encouraged him to retire his Rossignals and find a bit less strenuous way to spend his recreation time.
Another of his passions was his family. With his wife Cheryl Dianne Fureigh of 55 years, they built a life from the ground up. They had one daughter, Amy Elizabeth Fureigh, who gave them two beautiful grandchildren, Sophia Dianne Fureigh and James Robert Tidwell. These two babies became the heart and soul of Alan and Cheryl Fureigh. Mr. Fureigh raised Sophie and Jase to be strong and independent adults. Along with their MiMi and mother, he taught them everything he could including knowing God and his word, how to swim, how to ride a bike, how to shake hands and have a respectful conversation, how to work hard, and how to tell a dirty joke.
How can you tell the story of a man who lived 97 years, 6 months, and 6 days? You can’t. We will miss his counsel (his self-proclaimed talents in advice and lecture are legendary), his love, his devotion and support, and his powerful presence. He could certainly command a room. One of the last things he wrote to us and the hospital nurses taking care of him was, “It’s all Biden’s fault.” None of us will ever forget that last inappropriate joke, and we kept that hand-written note to frame. He is preceded in death by his father, Jerry Fureigh; his mother, Mildred Nora Tapley Fureigh Chambers; his brother, Wendel Fureigh; his daughter, Debbie Fureigh; and his son, Allen Ford. He leaves behind his wife, Cheryl Dianne Fureigh; daughters, Amy Elizabeth Fureigh, and Kathy Golden (Larry); brothers, Ray Fureigh and David Fureigh (Jeanie); grandchildren, Sophia Dianne Fureigh, James Robert Tidwell, Sherry Currasco (Nestor), Ashley Ford (Anita), Jackie Ford, Melissa Golden, and David Golden; and many other family members and friends.
Mr. Fureigh would ask that you honor his memory by donating to his church, New Life Church in Greenbrier, 43 Glenn Lane, Greenbrier, AR 72058 and voting for a Republican.
Many thanks to the nurses at UAMS and Gentiva Hospice. They took great care of Mr. Fureigh and us.
The Celebration of Life Service will be at 10:00am on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at New Life Church Greenbrier, 43 Glenn Lane Road, Greenbrier AR 72058.
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