by PONTOTOC, Miss. — Gerald Washington, who built an upholstery manufacturing operation from the ground up that supplied retailers around the country for decades, died here on Aug. 25. He was 85.
Washington was born on Jan. 5, 1939, the son of Dalton and Idell Washington. He grew up in Pontotoc and began making upholstered furniture frames in a home workshop in the late 1970s, according to an article in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
The same article said that he turned a $400 investment into a multimillion-dollar furniture manufacturing operation known as Washington Furniture. It went on to state that the company employed nearly 1,000 people at six plants in Pontotoc County by the time a group of investors purchased it in 1996.
Washington stayed on for a time in an advisory role, and was planning to retire, purchasing a motor home in which he planned to travel with its wife, Ruby, the Daily Journal noted.
But apparently not satisfied with retirement, he developed a business plan to create a vertically integrated upholstery manufacturing operation that would control “as many aspects of the manufacturing process as possible to help dramatically reduce overall production costs, including building its own frames and fabricating its own foam on-site,” the Journal reported.
Out of this initiative grew American Furniture Co., which opened its doors in May 1998.
Upon opening, the 150,000-square-foot plant employed nearly 100 workers and produced a line of promotional sofas, loveseats and recliners. In its first year, it had estimated sales of $30 million, the paper said.
Acquired by Clearview Capital in 2001 — which later sold it in June 2004 — the Daily Journal reported that the company undertook a multimillion-dollar expansion in 2001, growing to 1.5 million square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space. It also expanded its line to include recliners, motion upholstery and occasional chairs, the paper said. It noted that by 2002, the company’s sales grew to $120 million and by late 2003 it employed about 580 workers.
“Not only does Gerald leave behind cherished family and friends, but also a legacy of what hard work and commitment will do,” his obituary read. “He began a journey in the middle 1970s with determination and a made-up mind. He, along with his wife and family and many committed employees, produced an empire that stretched across the nation. He was an icon in the furniture industry.”
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ruby Keith Washington, and three children, Kathy Washington (Mark Riddle) of Pontotoc, Danny Washington (Janet) of Randolph, and Angie Lawson (Carly) of Randolph; five grandchildren: DJ Washington (Erin) of Randolph; Matt Lawson (Katherine) of Randolph; Kayla Washington of Randolph; Cody Riddle (Leslie) of Houlka; and Jesse Washington (Janet) of Randolph; 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Jerrie Barnes Phillips (Jimmy) and a sister-in-law, Helen Washington.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Dalton and Idell Washington; a brother, Laderl Washington; and a brother-in-law, Dan Barnes.
Visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday Aug. 26, at Judah Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and from noon until 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, with the service starting at 2.
Rev. Danny Washington, Rev. Jesse Washington and Rev. Carly Lawson will be officiating. Burial will be in the Judah Cemetery.
Online condolences may be offered at www.browningpontotoc.com.
