Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Debbie Coyle, manager of the Plaza Conference Center, sets up a display before the memorial service held Tuesday for Edd Furgerson, a local developer who died Feb. 5.
Edd Furgerson built more than 1,700 homes in Carson City and Dayton - leaving behind a legacy that families for generations to come will enjoy.
The local residential developer was praised at a Tuesday memorial for his accomplishments, but also his honesty and quirky energy, which was remembered by friends who gathered from across the state.
Friends and family of Furgerson, an 81-year-old home builder who died Feb. 5 of natural causes, reminisced about his style of dealing cards at poker - he played with the same group for about 20 years. He was a water skier up until his mid-60s. He started playing golf in his 70s, and was particularly proud of making a hole-in-one.
Carson City will remember him for his honesty, developer Dwight Millard said to about 70 people gathered at the Plaza Conference Center. He was Furgerson's business partner for about 22 years in Stanton Park Development, which is known for building affordable housing in the area.
"Edd was incredibly realistic, totally honest and forthright in his dealings," Millard said.
Millard said that many years ago the corporation sold a lot for Empire Elementary School to the Carson City School District. The project improvements came about $1,500 below the bid amount. Furgerson insisted that Millard reimburse the money to the school district, which they did, after it was approved by the school board.
Furgerson would hear any complaints from clients and fix them without charge, said Merv Matorian, a financial consultant who lives in Las Vegas. Those who bought homes developed by Furgerson said they continued to be friends with him after purchasing the home, which can be unusual in the industry.
Tom Garretson, his stepson and business partner in Stanton Park, said Furgerson was a every-day man with no pretensions.
"He wore a sports coat and tie," Garretson said. "I don't think he ever owned a suit."
His last project was Canyon Estates in Dayton, which is an ongoing development with 600 homes. He built homes in Stanton Park, Shadow Hills, Cameron Estates, Sunrise subdivision and Empire Ranch Estates.
Furgerson's daughter, Susie Furgerson, of Reno, said she'll remember him simply for being her dad.
"He provided three daughters the most adventurous, secure family life that most people don't have anymore," she said.
Furgerson was a Builders Association of Western Nevada member, and one of the first home builders inducted into the BAWN Hall of Fame. Contributions or donations may be made to the BAWN-Edd P. Furgerson Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of the local BAWN office at 882-4353.
• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.