H. Paul Steiger, Jr.

After completing elementary and middle school, Paul left for Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, PA.

Upon graduation from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he returned to Charlotte and began his career in the family business as a buyer for ladies’ handbags.

Originally called Steiger Brothers when Paul’s grandfather opened the first store in Williamsport, PA, the

business was renamed Sharon Luggage & Gifts when they settled in as one of the original tenants in South-Park Mall. During the years when brick and mortar stores prospered so did Sharon Luggage. As President, Paul grew the business to include 16 stores throughout North and South Carolina. Although

still operating under the name Sharon Luggage, Paul sold the business when he retired in 2019.

Known as PawPaw to his three granddaughters, he once said “the secret to a great peanut butter and jelly

sandwich is a lot of peanut butter and a lot of jelly.” He lived his life like he made his sandwiches—with abundance. He had a knack for making every day an adventure—whether it was donning his cross-country skis to travel to work during a rare Charlotte snow or taking off to Boulder to enjoy a concert of a favorite vocalist. An avid cyclist, skier, and environmentalist, he traveled the world in search of fresh snow

and long, smooth stretches of road. You might have seen him riding his bike to work or driving in his electric car adorned with a ‘Make America Green Again’ sticker.

Paul is survived by his wife Dia; his children Jett Steiger and wife Chelsea of Los Angeles, Matt Akins and

wife Scottie of Charlotte, and Lyall Moore and husband Will of High Point; grandchildren Maggie, Wyatt

and Evelyn; siblings Louise Heizer and Ede Seaman; his dog Jackson and hens: Peppa, Buffy and Rocky. Paul was predeceased by his sister Helen Kellicut.

A lifelong Charlottean—living until recently in the same home in which he grew up, Paul loved watching his city grow and was especially proud of the introduction of a safe and convenient bike network for all.

Memorial gifts may be made to Sustain Charlotte (1100 S. Mint Street, Charlotte, NC 28203).

Paul was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte. Due to Covid there is no plan for a

gathering beyond immediate family at this time.