Claude Hubert Harwood Jr.'s Obituary
Claude Hubert Harwood Jr., 92, of Albemarle passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 in Atrium Health Stanly. His funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 in the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Joel Lynn and Jim Sawyer officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle from 6 until 8 PM on Monday evening. At other times, the family will receive guests at the home. Claude selflessly requested that this time be a celebration for both he and his wife Catherine who died during the Covid Pandemic as a way for them both to say goodbye to their friends.
Born March 29, 1932 he was the son of the late Claude Hubert Harwood Sr. and Evelyn Moore Harwood. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Claude and his wife Cathryn were the owners and operators of Harwoods Florist for over 60 years. He received numerous awards throughout his lifetime for his achievements in floral design. Claude decorated the White House for Inaugurations or Christmases for 7 different presidents beginning with John F. Kennedy. He was honored to meet each of the First Ladies during this time. He won America's Number One Designer in floral competition. This honor allowed him to represent the United States in the Interfloral World Cup Competition in Australia in 1979 where he placed in the top 20 in the world. He attended more than 100 different floral programs throughout the country and became the namesake of the Harwood Cup, an award to honor floral achievement. Through Floral Transworld Delivery, FTD, he met and networked with florists throughout the country and the world
Mr. Harwood was preceded in death by his wife Cathryn Caulder Harwood in 2020 and a daughter Jody Oliver in 2001. He is survived by a son Claude Hubert "Andy" Harwood III and wife My Phoung of Thailand, daughter Cathryn "Beth" Harwood of Albemarle, two grandchildren Holly E. Brackins and Abagail P. Harwood, two great-grandchildren Cooper and Cathryn Grace, and step grandchild Jake Oliver and wife Christy Oliver and their son.
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