Ian Matthew Faires

He was born on September 26, 1977, in Charlotte, North Carolina. After graduating from Garinger High School in 1995, Ian earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Appalachian State University. In 2000 he began his teaching career which spanned nearly 23 years and 4 school districts. During his time teaching for Union County Schools, Ian was a recipient of the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award for Porter Ridge High School. He was instrumental in building the marching band program to one of the largest in the state. Under his direction, the ‘Band of Pirates’ received many accolades and traveled to Hawaii to represent North Carolina in the annual Pearl Harbor Day Parade.

Growing up in a musical family, he was a lifelong church musician. He attended Robinson Presbyterian Church from the time he was born, singing in choir, playing piano and handbells, until after high school graduation. For the past 17 years, Ian attended Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Weddington, North Carolina, where he was the accompanist for Sunday worship and all other special services and cantatas. Ian played piano and organ for many weddings, funerals, school choirs, All-State performances and was always happy to play in the pit orchestras for local high school musicals.

Ian’s infectious personality, love of family and friends, dedication to serving the Lord with his gifts, ridiculously loud laugh, ability to embarrass you at any moment, love of game shows, sweet tea, Star Trek, late 80’s teen tv shows and demand for excellence from his students and himself are the things that will be missed most.

Ian was predeceased by his paternal and maternal grandparents, his father, Steven Russell Faires, many cousins, great aunts and great uncles that were very influential in his life.

He is survived by his mother and step-father, Rebecca and Don Schneider of Charlotte; his step-mother, Suzon Faires of Dahlonega, Georgia; his brother, Jonathan Russell Faires and wife, Christa, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; his sister, Dana Griffin Letchworth and husband, Byron, of Dawsonville, Georgia; his brother, Adam Patrick Faires and wife, Lindsay, of Charlotte; his sister, Courtney Elizabeth Faires of Charlotte; niece and nephews, Alexis Sharisse Morgan, Brennan Russell Faires, Jim Scott Letchworth, Hudson Alfred Faires, and Sullivan Patrick Faires; as well as his aunts, uncles, cousins, many friends, colleagues, former students and current students that meant the world to him.

A visitation with Ian's family will be held from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. A celebration of life service will be held 3:00 pm Sunday, January 21, 2024, in the church Sanctuary. The service will be livestreamed. See the link below.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Ian’s life and the damage he caused weekly to the piano, by donating to the Music Ministry Program at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, 8600 Potter Road, Weddington, North Carolina 28104.