Morris Laney Funderburk Jr.

M. Laney Funderburk, Jr., 77, died on April 16th, 2016 surrounded by family at his home in Lockwood Folly, Supply, NC. Laney was the son of Morris L. Funderburk, Sr., and Bonnie Goodson Funderburk; and husband of Lois Copeland Funderburk. Mr. Funderburk was born in Maiden, NC, graduated from Mount Holly High School in 1956 and from Duke University in 1960.

While an undergraduate, Mr. Funderburk began a part time job for the Alumni Affairs office. After graduation, he continued working there for 13 years, before leaving in 1973 to become Deputy Secretary of the N.C. Department of Commerce and, later, Chief of Staff for Gov. James E. Holshouser. In 1977, the family moved to Charlotte, NC, where Laney worked with the Duke Endowment as Director of the charitable foundation's education division

In 1982, Mr. Funderburk returned to Duke to lead its Alumni Affairs Office for 22 years. During Mr. Funderburk’s leadership as Duke's Associate Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development, Duke Magazine was established, the alumni education and travel program was expanded, class reunions were consolidated and moved to the spring, and widespread information-technology initiatives were introduced. He worked with 6 of the 8 Duke Presidents and was the longest serving Director of Alumni Affairs in Duke history. In 2004, Mr. Funderburk retired and was named Director Emeritus.

Mr. Funderburk was deeply involved in communities where he lived. He was a member of the Boards of the Durham Arts Council and Charlotte Opera Company, the Durham County Board of Elections, and Kiwanis. He was named Kiwanian of the year in 2000. Mr. Funderburk was a member of Duke Memorial United Methodist Church in Durham for more than 50 years where he and his wife sang in the choir and served in numerous leadership roles. After retiring to the Holden Beach area, the Funderburks became active in Holden Beach Chapel where Laney was a Trustee and choir member.

Mr. Funderburk loved the beach, traveling (visiting 75 countries and 49 states), singing in the Holden Beach Chapel choir, golfing, sailing, grilling and cooking, and spending time with his family (especially his grandchildren). He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Lois; sister, Linda Funderburk Shanahan (Richard) from Melbourne, FL; daughter, Lisa Funderburk Miller (Kevin) from Winston Salem, NC; son Morris Laney “Tripp” Funderburk III from Key Largo, FL; and four grandchildren: Dr. Tricia Lane Dias (Chris) from Charleston, SC, Carley Miller from State College, PA, Mimi Miller, and Dusty Miller from Winston Salem, NC; nephews: Gray Shanahan (Jenny), Kris Shanahan, and great nephew, Jake Shanahan from Melbourne, FL.

A service to celebrate Mr. Funderburk’s life will be held on Sunday, May 22nd at 2 pm at the Holden Beach Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Duke University, Box 90581, Durham, NC 27708-0981 for an endowment: “The Laney Funderburk Scholarship for Alumni Children from North Carolina Fund”, or to the “Holden Beach Chapel Endowment”, 107 Rothschild St., Holden Beach, NC 28462.

Online Condolence may be offered at www.whitefuneralservicesupply.com

White Funeral & Cremation Service, Bolivia Chapel