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TROY, N.C. – Jesse Smith Capel, who worked in his family’s rug business from 1957 to 2007, has died at the age of 90.
Born on Nov. 17, 1932, Capel graduated in 1954 with a degree in textile management from N.C. State University. He served in the U.S. Army for several years before joining the family business. During his 40 years with Capel Rugs, he made significant contributions in the areas of finance, importing and manufacturing. Company leaders say Jesse Capel’s contributions to the company legacy are irreplaceable.
The Capel family started its namesake rug company with braided rugs in 1917 and during the past 100-plus years collaborated with major brands such as Sears, JCPenney, L.L. Bean and Pottery Barn.
In addition to his leadership role in the family business, Capel served on a number of boards in the community, including the Virginia Episcopal School, St. Mary’s School, the Duke Heart Center, the Montgomery County Fund, Pfeiffer University, the N.C. Museum of History and the N.C. Museum of Art. He also served as chairman of FirstBancorp’s board of directors and as president of the North Carolina State Ports Authority Foundation.
Capel served 16 years as chairman of the Montgomery Community College Board of Trustees, as district chairman for Boy Scouts of America and as a former president of Troy Rotary Club.
Capel is survived by his wife of 68 years, Julianne Boone Capel; three daughters, Mary Clara Capel, Julie Williams and Sarah Kea Capel; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers and a sister. He was preceded in death by his son, Jesse Smith Capel Jr.
Visitation with the family will be held 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Bumgarner Funeral Home, 620 Albemarle Road, Troy, N.C. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 26, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 239 N. Russell St., Troy, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jesse Capel’s memory to The Trinity Fund at Trinity United Methodist Church in Troy.
