Individual Details

Death

FURR, LOIS STEWART Lois Stewart Furr, 78, co-founder of Coleman College, passed away on September 11, 2010, due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. Born on March 22, 1932, in Lynch, Nebraska, Lois was one of eight children born to Arthur and Frances Stewart. She was Valedictorian of Lynch High School in 1949 and attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln on an academic scholarship. After moving to California in the 1950s, Lois married Coleman Furr. The two founded Coleman College, now known as Coleman University, in 1963. They divorced in 2004. During her many decades as Dean of Students, Lois was considered the heart and the soul of Coleman College. She provided guidance and counseling to thousands of students and helped them achieve their academic and professional goals. Lois supported many women's and environmental causes and was a strong supporter of the arts. She also opened her home to exchange students and other international visitors through the "Meet the Americans" teacher exchange program. After retiring to Arizona in the 1990s, she often hosted guest artists with Ballet Yuma. She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and sang with a chorus for many years. Lois was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Frances Stewart of Lemon Grove, her brother Arthur Stewart Jr. of Nebraska, and her twin brother, Louis (Bud) Stewart of Yuma, Arizona. She is survived by her daughters, Carolyn Furr of San Diego, Martina Leinz of Burke, Virginia, five grandchildren, her sister Evelyn Landrum and brothers Leon (Deed) Stewart, Julian (Dean) Stewart, Kenneth Stewart, Keith Stewart and their families. Memorial services for Lois Stewart Furr will be held on Wednesday, September 15th, at noon at El Camino Memorial Chapel, 5600, Carroll Canyon Rd., San Diego, CA 92121. A reception with the family will be held at El Camino immediately following. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your favorite charity or to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.
Published in San Diego Union-Tribune on September 13, 2010