Former Bridgeport Resident, U.S. Service Member and Philanthropist John Furbee Dies at 87
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on July 17, 2017 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
John Henry Furbee, 87, resident of Desert Hot Springs, California, formerly of Bridgeport, WV, died on July 12, 2017 in California, following an extended illness.
John was born April 4, 1930 in Clarksburg, WV, son of the late Ruth and Carl Furbee, Sr. He grew up in Bridgeport, and graduated from Bridgeport HighSchool in 1948.
John worked as a drug clerk in his father's store, Furbee's Pharmacy, in Bridgeport, and graduated from Pharmacy School at West Virginia University. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. After graduation, and following service in the US Army as a statistician in Philadelphia, he worked in pharmacies in Weston and Richwood, WV.
In the early 1960s, John drove across the country in his new Oldsmobile to California. He lived and worked in Los Angelas and Palm Springs, then settled in Desert Hot Springs, buying his own drug store and, over time, acquiring numerous properties. For a period of time, he was involved with a builder, creating Sunspring Homes.
John was an involved community member and philantropist in Desert Hot Springs. He was active in the Rotary Club, served on the Mission Springs water board, was an advisor to and supporter of the Boys and Girls club, The Mission Springs foundation, various sports teams, The John Furbee House residential care home, and the John H Furbee aquatics club, among others.
John loved dogs and was commonly seen about town accompanied by a canine companion.
John was pre-deceased by his parents, his sister Enid Crawford of Fairmont, brother Carl Furbee Jr. of Bridgeport, and infant brother Jerry Clifford Furbee. He is survived by a brother, James Furbee of Morgantown, WV, nieces Michelle Miller (Fairmont), Martha Snyder (Millwood), Melinda Double (Morgantown), Lisa Furbee Ford (Clarksburg), Kathleen Furbee (Independence) and nephews Ed Furbee (SC), Bill Crawford (Stonewood) and Carl Furbee III (Las Vegas) and friends Margaret House and her family Gene, Sammy, Joe, Laurie Ann, and Stephen Schick.
McCullough Funeral Home in Pennsboro, WV is in charge of the arrangements. A grave side service will be held on July 21 at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your favorite charity.
