[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 87 (Friday, May 19, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN MEMORY OF FURMAN RAYMOND YOUNGINER

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 19, 2017

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on February 16, 2017, 
South Carolina lost a dedicated public servant with the death of Furman 
Younginer. As the Mayor of Irmo for 16 years, he was a crucial part of 
the modernization and transformation of the town from a sleepy village 
to one of America's fastest growing communities. He was also a 
committed Christian, dedicated family man, and U.S. Army veteran. He 
will be greatly missed.
  The following thoughtful obituary was published in The State on 
February 18, 2017:

       Furman Raymond Younginer passed peacefully into eternal 
     life Thursday, February 16, 2017. Born November 14, 1923, in 
     Irmo, SC, he was the son of the late Raymond Samuel Younginer 
     and Gertrue Petty Younginer of Irmo. He was predeceased by 
     his wife of 62 years, Louise O'Sheal Younginer.
       A lifelong resident of Irmo, Mr. Younginer was educated in 
     the Irmo schools and graduated from Irmo High in 1941. After 
     graduation, he began working in the Accounting Department 
     with the Columbia, Newberry, and Laurens (CN&L) Railroad and 
     continued in this position until he was drafted into the U.S. 
     Army at the age of 19. He served in the U.S. Army during 
     World War II, from April 15, 1943 until he was honorably 
     discharged December 14, 1945.
       His years of service for his country began with basic 
     training at Fort Jackson. He was sent to Washington, D.C. for 
     a short while and in September 1943 he was sent to Camp 
     Patrick Henry (Newport News, VA) where he boarded a Liberty 
     ship. He traveled across the ocean for 17 days to begin his 
     service in the European theatre of operations. He first 
     landed in Casablanca and then traveled via train, in boxcars, 
     across North Africa. He was sent to Italy to serve in the 
     Allied Control Commission (Military Government for the Italy 
     2675th Regiment) under the command of General Mark Clark. Mr. 
     Younginer was based in a number of Italian cities, but he was 
     assigned to Rome for the majority of his time and while 
     there, he attended classes at the University of Rome. He 
     often recalled that while in Rome, he learned the good news 
     of the wars end and that he would soon return home.
       Following the end of World War II, he returned to Irmo, 
     attended the University of South Carolina, and continued his 
     work in accounting for the CN&L Railroad (now, part of CSX 
     Railroad). His job position was Assistant Secretary/Treasurer 
     and he was responsible for the financial and managerial 
     junctions in the Columbia office of the CN&L. He was employed 
     by the CN&L Railroad for 42 years and retired in March 1983.
       As a member of America's Greatest Generation, Mr. 
     Younginer's experiences in World War II gave him many 
     insights which he related to and envisioned for his hometown 
     of Irmo. He acknowledged the positive aspects of the many 
     places to which he had been assigned or visited and sought to 
     incorporate those features that would promote civics, 
     leadership, and progress in the community. In 1951, Furman 
     Younginer was elected to the Irmo Town Council and he 
     remained on the Council until 1961 when he was elected Mayor 
     of Irmo. He served as Irmo's mayor for 16 years (1961-1977) 
     and during his administration many changes and improvements 
     occurred in the community. The Irmo area became well-known as 
     an ideal place for families to live. Mr. Younginer cooperated 
     with industry and real estate developers, envisioning a 
     bright and productive future for Irmo.
       . . .
       Mr. Younginer was a lifelong member of the Irmo Pentecostal 
     Holiness Church (now known as Irmo Family Worship Center). He 
     accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at age 9 and his 
     faith and trust in God never wavered. He served multiple 
     positions in the church including secretary-treasurer and 
     Sunday School superintendent.
       Furman Younginer will be forever remembered in the hearts 
     of his friends and family. He leaves to cherish his memory, 
     his five children and spouses: Miriam Y. and Donald E. 
     Lovett, Caroline Y. and Frederick E. Sojourner, Ann Y. and 
     Robert Gunning IV, Paul F. and Angela M. Younginer, Lucy Y. 
     and Dr. R. Paul Austin. His ten beloved grandchildren are 
     Furman D. Lovett (Emily), Maria L. Cole (Ryan), Caroline 
     Ingram, Robert Gunning V. (Hannah), Laura Gunning Morgan 
     (Tommy), Andrew Gunning, Anna Younginer, Robert Paul Austin 
     III, Lewis Austin, Smith Austin. His four great-grandchildren 
     are Charles Cole, Lily Cole, Molley Gunning, Sophie Gunning. 
     His dearly loved sisters are Orine Younginer, Mildred 
     Younginer, Blanche Younginer (deceased), Betty Younginer, and 
     Vernelle Y. Jones (Rev. Sanford Jones).
       The family appreciates the expressions of kindness bestowed 
     upon Mr. Younginer throughout his life. He took pride in 
     wearing his cap with the emblem, World War II Veteran, and 
     individuals frequently greeted him with appreciation for his 
     service to our country. He maintained and treasured his 
     friendships with former coworkers, community members, church 
     family, and his many devoted friends.
       Visitation will be from 4 until 6:00 PM, Saturday, February 
     18, 2017, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, Irmo. 
     The funeral will be at 3:00 PM, Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 
     Irmo Family Worship Center at 10501 Broad River Rd, Irmo, SC 
     29063 with burial immediately following in the church 
     cemetery.

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