Former Auburn High School athletic director and local radio host Chuck Furlow passed away Monday evening, according to multiple news outlets. The Opelika native was 72 years old.
Furlow was a graduate of Opelika High School and Auburn University. His career spanned nearly 40 years and included stops in Beulah, Beauregard and Auburn High School, which is where he spent the final 10 years of his academic career, according to his obituary from Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home.
He coached football, basketball, baseball and track throughout his career before serving as the athletic director in the final years of his career.
Furlow continued his involvement in athletics long after his retirement through various activities and positions including serving on the Super 6, now Super 7, committee that brought the high school football championship to Auburn, according to his obituary from Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home.
Furlow joined the radio crew for Auburn High football and was a co-host on “The Drive with Bill Cameron” on the ESPN radio affiliate in Auburn.
Furlow served as Auburn City Schools' athletic director from 1998 to 2009. He also served as an Auburn High School Football coach from 1981 to 1984, where he coached now-Mayor Ron Anders.
"He is sincerely one of the best people I've ever known in my life," Anders said. "He's a great coach, but he's an even better guy. He was always genuinely interested in me, my family, my kids. He'll be missed in our community."
Anders and Furlow continued to communicate long after the lights went out on Anders' last football game at Auburn High School. Anders now works with Furlow's stepson at Tailgate Guys.
"He was such a stable, kind force that impacted so many people's lives," Anders said.
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Elizabeth, senior in journalism and political science, is the community editor for The Plainsman
