Obituary of Andrew Matthew Karres

Obituary: Andrew Matthew Karres Andrew Matthew Karres lived a long and very happy life. Born in Charlotte, NC on October 5, 1922, he was class president and a football star at Central High School in Charlotte. When he excelled during the Shrine Bowl, he was visited by two coaches from UNC-Chapel Hill who made him a scholarship offer to which he replied: "Don't worry, Coaches. I was born with Carolina blue diapers on." During World War II he joined the Naval Air Corps and became a fighter pilot. After completion of his military service, he graduated from UNC, became a very successful commercial real estate developer and built dozens of shopping centers on the East Coast, from Canada to Florida, including East Gate and Rams Plaza in Chapel Hill. At age 70 and semi-retired, he met and married the love of his life, the author Erika V. Shearin Karres, Ed.D. From then on he spent his time traveling, attending Rams Club functions, and going to Carolina football and basketball games. His greatest joy was spending time with (and being spoiled by) his cherished Erika, his adored daughters Elizabeth S. Hounshell, RN, (dedicated husband David) and Mary (Deesie) Shearin, MD; devoted family friend Vickie Henson, RN; and his beloved granddaughters Katherine Hounshell and Sarah Hounshell. Most recently Andy divided his time between homes in Chapel Hill and Landfall/Wilmington where he enjoyed boating and eating out at the Oceanic. In addition to Andy's outstanding football contributions and his brilliant commercial real estate career, he will always be remembered for his unsurpassed gentleman-ness and his very loving and kind ways. It is hard to believe, but his romantic nature increased the older he got. At age 90, he still serenaded his wife with such olden goldies as "...I love you forever till the Twelfth of Never..." Andy is survived by a brother, Gus Karres (Toni), a sister, Dena Andrews (Harold), and a host of other relatives. A public funeral will be held graveside at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 4pm, with Fr. Stavroforos, priest of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, officiating and with the assistance of Walker's Funeral home. A Celebration of Thanksgiving for Andy's Life will be held later. Memorials may be made to the UNC Educ. Fdn. for the Endowment Scholarship Trust, P.O. Box 2446, Chapel Hill, NC 27515 Andy was predeceased by his father Matthew Karres, mother Marie Petrolis Karres, brothers James and Steve and sister Tetsia.