Charles Rowe Gnuse's Obituary
GNUSE, CHARLES ROWE an entrepreneur and long-time Dallas businessman, died at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, after a long illness. He was 80 years old. Born in Chicago, IL, on Aug. 2, 1933 to Elizabeth Rowe and Rufus Frederick Gnuse, Charles moved to Dallas at the age of 15. He attended Crozier Tech High School here and worked for his father’s home building company, Gnuse Construction. After high school he went to work in the display department of a major department store. His early sales career included working in the insurance industry as an agent for Continental Casualty Co. and Lloyd’s of London. In 1962 he joined Eddie Parker Sales in Dallas. Over the years, he worked for various firms specializing in home decor and floral products. In the 1970s he and his wife, Helen, started The Maverick Co., specializing in dried florals. In the late 1970s he formed XYZ Imports, Inc., an importer of silk flowers and floral products for large national chains, including Pier 1 and Kroger. In 1978, Charles was one of the first American businessmen invited by the Peoples Republic of China to do business there. He considered that a major accomplishment. Over the next two decades, he built a multi-million dollar company, traveling around the world for business and pleasure. Each year he made numerous trips to Asia, including the PRC, to have floral products made to his specifications. He was known in the floral industry as “The King of Baskets.” Charles was a past president of the national Floral Marketing Association. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, Woods and Waters and numerous other organizations. He was a longtime supporter of The Salvation Army. A lifelong Lutheran, Charles was previously a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and a current member of King of Glory Lutheran Church. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Helen, and four daughters: Vicki Gnuse of Dallas; Karen Stearman and her husband, Charles, of Lewisville, TX; Lisa Everett and her husband, Mark, of Fairview, TX; and Tiffany Gnuse of Euless, TX. Charles is also survived by three grandchildren: Rachel Everett, Jacob Everett, and Charlie Gnuse; and one brother, Robert S. Gnuse, and his wife, Debbie, of Winter Park, CO. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, February 7, 2014 at Restland Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 3:00 PM Saturday, February 8, 2014 at Restland Wildwood Chapel.
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