Gene Furr:
CLASS OF 1960
Concord High SchoolClass of 1960
Concord, NC
Gene's Story
Spent four years in the Navy aboard the USS Enterprise CVA(N)65 as a member of Attack Squadron 65. I shared an office for two years with Lt. John McCain, who was a pilot. He later would become Senator McCain and run for president in 2008, I was aboard the Enterprise during the Cuban blockade.
Married my soul mate, Sandy after four years in the Navy and moved to California to study photography at Brooks Institute of Photography at Santa Barbara.
I return to North Carolina and accepted a position as Staff Photographer at the News and Observer in Raleigh. In '67 I returned to Concord as Chief Photographer at The Concord Tribune. Would remain at the Tribune for six years. During those six years, I won Southern Photographer of the Year twice and World Press.
In '73 return to The Raleigh News & Observer as Chief Photographer. Won North Carolina Photographer of Year in '74. Would spend the next 30 years as Chief Photographer, Picture Editor and Photo Coach and win over 250 awards.
In '82 was author of "Images: The Outer Banks"
Retired from The News & Observer...Expand for more
after 30 years in 2002. In March '08 was awarded the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in News Photography along with Gary Fong from California. Starting In 2009, the award would be called the Furr/Fong Lifetime Achievement Award given each year to a photographer for meritorious public service, exemplary professionalism and mentoring.
In Sept. '08 was honored to have show of Wildlife and Nature at The Historic Courthouse in Concord. In March '10, I will be part of another show at The Historic Courthouse called "A Place and Time." July '10, I will have a show of Wildlife and Nature at the Block Gallery in Raleigh for two months.
Today, I continue to photograph wildlife and nature and smell the roses along with living each day to the fullest. The Journey is more important than the destination.
My fondest memory was being the Drum Major of the Concord High Marching Band for two years. It was a great group of classmates who gave so much to their fellow classmates and their school. I was and will always be honored to have been a part of that special group.
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