Mr. Abraham Moses "Mick" Lourie

COLUMBIA - A.M. (Abraham Moses) "Mick" Lourie, passed away in peace, of natural causes, in Atlanta on Thursday, November 17, 2016, at age 90. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, November 20, 2016, at Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 N. Trenholm Road. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 10 until 11:00 a.m. at the Synagogue. Burial will follow in The Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery, 720 Blanding Street. Mick was born in St. George, S.C. on July 17, 1926, the third of six children of Annie and Louis Lourie. After his father’s early severe illness, his mother assumed full responsibilities for her family and also their retail business in St. George, requiring Mick to take significant responsibility for himself and his siblings. As a consequence, he and his siblings developed incredibly tight bonds that lasted throughout their lives. Love and devotion to family were fundamental priorities to Mick Lourie. He is survived by his adoring wife of 64 years, Nancy; as well as his children, Allison Ullman (Michael) of Boca Raton, Fla., Louis Lourie of Nashville, Tenn., Joan Rosenberg (Lee) of Jacksonville, Fla., and Adam Lourie (Cindy) of Atlanta. He adored his many grandchildren, Jared Ullman (Tabitha) of Boca Raton, Fla., Ryan Ullman of Los Angeles, Alexander Lourie of Nashville, Tenn., Spencer Lourie, Daniel Schwartz both of Atlanta, Eden Schwartz of Columbia, Margo Schwartz of Gainesville, Fla., and Noah, Max, and Isaac Lourie of Atlanta; and three great-grandchildren, Beckett, Keaton, and Forrest Ullman of Boca Raton, Fla. Mick and his brother, Sol, co-owned and managed Lourie's Department Stores, moving the business to Columbia in 1949, where the business was always viewed favorably for its customer service, as well as the quality of merchandise and salesforce, until closing its doors in 2010. He was a lifelong student, graduated top in his high school class; serving as class president and lettering in three sports before attending the University of Georgia. He always loved discussing politics, history, and sports. Mick was always charitable, and involved in the community. He served as board director for several organizations: The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the Retail Advisory for the Carolinas and Virginia, as well as the advisory board for the South Carolina divisions of C&S Bank and of Nationsbank. He served as vice-president of the Palmetto Chapter of the US Army and was a captain of the United Way. Mick was a proud member of the Masons, Rotary, and B'nai Brith. He was extremely devoted to Jewish causes. Mick was a devoted member of Beth Shalom Synagogue in Columbia and was instrumental in the fundraising and planning for its campus on Trenholm Road, at one point serving as its vice-president. He was a president of the Columbia Jewish Community Center, served with the Jewish Welfare Federation, a founding member of the South Carolina Jewish historical Society, in 1994 was the local Israel Bonds campaign honoree. He was an avid fan and supporter of the University of South Carolina and its athletic teams. Mick was a long term resident of Columbia, had innumerable friends, and was cherished always for his genteel kindness, fairness, decency, and devotion. He made his community, and people’s lives better. He will be missed by many. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in A.M. "Mick” Lourie's name to The American Heart Association, 190 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033; Ronald McDonald House, 2955 Colonial Drive, Columbia, SC 29203; or Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 North Trenholm Rd, Columbia, SC 29206.