Mr.
Loonis McGlohon - 1921-2002
Mr. Loonis McGlohon died
Saturday, January 26, 2002 at his home. A memorial service will be
held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 at Carmel Presbyterian
Church. Reverend Steve Cathcart will officiate assisted by the Reverend
Wendell Ligon and Reverend John Alexander. The family will receive
friends from 6:30 pm until 9:00 pm on Monday, January 28, 2002 in
the sanctuary of Carmel Presbyterian Church at 2408 Carmel Road, Charlotte,
NC.
Mr. McGlohon was born
September 29, 1921 in Ayden, North Carolina, son of the late Max Cromwell
McGlohon and Bertha Andrews McGlohon. He was preceded in death by
his brother, Berkley McGlohon. Mr. McGlohon was recognized as a very
gifted pianist and composer. He performed throughout the United States
and in numerous countries around the world. His songs have been recorded
and performed by many entertainers including Frank Sinatra, Rosemary
Clooney, Eileen Farrell, Judy Garland, and Margaret Whiting. He collaborated
with the late Charles Kuralt on a word-and-music tribute to his home
state - North Carolina Is My Home, and with composer Alec Wilder on
numerous songs. Mr. McGlohon was a recipient of the North Carolina
Award, two Peabody Awards, the Vanguard Award, and the World Citizen
Award. He was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame,
and the North Carolina Society of New York.
Following his retirement
from Jefferson-Pilot Broadcasting, he was named to the North Carolina
Broadcasters Hall of Fame. For more than 30 years, Mr. McGlohon was
choir director at Carmel Presbyterian Church. A graduate of East Carolina
University, he received six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges
and universities. The McGlohon Theater in Spirit Square honors Mr.
McGlohon known by many as the Songwriter's Songwriter and by others
as one of Charlotte and North Carolina's musical treasures.
Survivors include his
wife of 58 years, Nan Lovelace McGlohon; son Reeves McGlohon and wife
Peggy of Mt. Holly; daughters Fan Smith and husband Skipper of Hickory,
and Laurie Shouse and husband Larry of Lowesville. Seven grandchildren
and one great-granchild survive Mr. McGlohon; Max McGlohon and wife
Lisa of Raleigh and son Brady; Brooke Shepard and Allan McGlohon of
Mt. Holly; Laurie Smith and Graham Smith of Hickory; and Edward Shouse
and Hilary Shouse of Lowesville.
Memorials may be sent
to the Loonis McGlohon Chair of Church Music at Carmel Presbyterian
Church, 2048 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226 or The Loonis McGlohon
Scholarship Fund at East Carolina University, Taylor-Slaughter Alumni
Center, 200 E. 1st Street, Greenville, NC 27858.
Arrangements for the McGlohon
family are in the care of Heritage Funeral Home. Published in the
Charlotte Observer from 1/27/2002 - 1/28/2002.
From Marlene and Billy
VerPlanck:
Loonis was much more than
a fine pianist...he was first of all a fine human being, a husband,
father, friend, songwriter, script writer, d.j., producer, humanitarian.
A renaissance man of the first order.
Working with Loonis on
hundreds of jobs thru the years was not only a musical experience
but a lesson in life. His wife, Nan McGlohon, was the perfect counterpart.
She displayed a calm, patient, loving demeanor in every situation.
From the instant we met Loonis and Nan they were our role models.
They will always be.
Loonis came up to NYC
late last year, on September 7th & 8th. On the 7th he received a World
Citizen Award at The Union Club, and on the 8th there was a celebration
of his music at The FireBird Cafe, a posh boite on restaurant row.
The whole McGlohon Family and all of his friends from North Carolina
and New York showed up to pay tribute to the man and his music. There
were six of New Yorks finest singers performing to sold out shows,
a load of McGlohon wit and a room full of love. If you missed this
evening it was one of the year's "happenings"
Words cannot describe
how much Loonis will be missed. He is known around the world in the
best of musical circles as one of the greats. One of our favorite
Loonis songs is "Good Old Friends" ... he was definitely that ...
he was more than that. We'll try to remember all the things he taught
us.
Goodbye old friend.
If you wish to add a thought of rememberance,
send me your comments at stuhamstra@svhamstra.com
and if deemed appropriate, it will be added to this page.
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