Howard Thayer Nance

Charlotte - Howard Thayer Nance passed away August 25, 2015. He was born in Troy, North Carolina on June 20, 1929. His father was Ivey Howard Nance, a Troy native and owner of Montgomery Hardware Company in Troy. His mother was Mildred Thayer Nance, the daughter of Nereus Mendenhall Thayer and Mary Ada Kirk Thayer of Eldorado, North Carolina. He had one sister, Geraldine Nance.

Howard graduated from Troy High School in 1947, Pfeiffer University in 1949 and North Carolina State University in 1953.

In 1960, he married Miss Maxine Smith and they have a son, David, who was born in 1963.

Howard was a member of Trinity Methodist Church of Troy; Myers Park United Methodist Church; Troy Rotary Club; Myers Park Civitan Club; Trustee of Pfeiffer University; John A. Walker Advisory Council for the Business College of Appalachian State University; Director of Home Builders Association of Charlotte; Co-founder of Charlotte Apartment Association; Charlotte Board of Realtors; Carmel Country Club; Charlotte City Club; Linville Ridge Country Club; Royal Poinciana Golf Club of Naples, Florida. He also very much enjoyed the Good Fellows Club, and was a member for over sixty years.

His initial employment, in 1953, was with Russell Lacey Incorporated, a rug manufacturer in Fairmount, Georgia. He was trained in the factory and then worked in the sales office in New York City.

Howard moved to Charlotte in 1954 with the Celanese Corporation. He began as the import/export agent for the Corporation, and was promoted as Assistant Vice President in charge of purchasing major materials.

In 1960, he and William Trotter organized the Nance-Trotter, Inc., a home building firm, and in 1967 he started the Howard Nance Company, building single-family homes. He was one of the top five major builders in Charlotte, North Carolina in the 1960's and early 1970's. The company built homes in Charlotte and Boone, and he was credited with being the first condominium builder in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, circa 1973.

Howard was always happiest in his sport fishing boat, the Tiger Two. He loved deep sea fishing out of the Little River, South Carolina inlet. He also enjoyed many summers in Linville, North Carolina. Howard was an avid golfer and enjoyed socializing with his friends. He was a historian who was particularly interested in Civil War history. He was very proud of his home town of Troy, North Carolina, and later, Charlotte.

Howard is survived by his wife, Maxine Smith Nance; his son, David Howard Nance; his granddaughter, Elizabeth Nance; his grandson, Parker Nance; and distant cousins.

He is predeceased by his parents, Ivy Howard Nance and Mildred Thayer Nance, and by his sister, Geraldine Nance.

A Memorial Service will be held at Myers Park United Methodist Church on Friday, August 28th at 2:00 p.m., with the Reverend Bill Roth officiating. The family will greet friends in Jubilee Hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Eldorado Baptist Church, 4667 NC Highway 109 N, Troy, NC 27371.