Obituaries

GERALD H. ‘JERRY’ STEIN, GRAND FURNITURE

NORFOLK, Va. — Gerald H. “Jerry” Stein, 85, co-founder of Grand Furniture, died in Boca Raton, Fla., on Oct. 30.

After attending the University of Maryland on a football scholarship, Stein helped found Grand in 1947. The company grew from a small storefront to a nine-store chain that employed more than 350 in the greater Hampton Roads, Va., area.

He established the Stein Family Scholarship in memory of his wife Arlene, helping put numerous area students through four years of college. He quietly supported individuals and the local community wherever he saw a need he felt he could help meet, his family said.

Survivors include his sons Steve Stein, former co-CEO of Grand and former vice president of the Furniture Marketing Group buying group; and Craig Stein, current CEO of Grand Brands, which operates Grand Furniture, Grand Furniture Outlet and Ashley Furniture Home Stores in Southeastern Virginia.

Memorial donations may be made in Jerry Stein’s memory to the Stein Family Scholarship, (757) 965-6105, studor@ujft.org.

JOHN WHITFIELD SPARGER JR., SALES REPRESENTATIVE

HICKORY, N.C. — Veteran independent sales rep John Whitfield Sparger Jr., 63, died Oct. 30 at Missions Hospital in Asheville, N.C. 

Sparger spent more than 30 years as an independent sales rep and recently attended his 80th High Point Market. His long career included representing Bassett Furniture, Trend line Furniture as national sales manager, Stratford Furniture as regional sales manager, Southern Furniture, Ligna, Chateau d’Ax and Fjords/Hjellegjerde.

“John was a true gentleman and a great human being. Iam honored not only to have worked him, but to call him afriend,” said Dan Houck, president of Fjords USA.

Survivors include his wife and three sons.

A memorial fund to benefit his family has been set up at https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/m9d6/johnwhitfield-sparger.