Passing of Charles Stapp Former Huffman Koos President & Founder Of Manor House Furniture

Furniture World Magazine

Charles Stapp passed away on January 21st in Richland, Washington,at the age of 80. There will be a memorial service for Mr. Stapp at 11am February 21st in The Presbyterian Church, Westfield, NJ. Mr. Stapp began his career in the retail furniture industry at Koos Bros., later Huffman Koos, becoming president of the New Jersey company in 1960. He left the chain in 1971 to start Manor House Furniture, a chain of furniture stores in California and Nevada. He also owned an orchid farm in Costa Rica for many years. Mr. Stapp was a graduate of Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, and served in the Navy during World War II as one of the original frogmen on an underwater demolition team. He served in the Naval Reserves until 1958, achieving the rank of lieutenant. A former president of the National Retail Furniture Association and also a past president of the former New Jersey Home Furnishings Association, Mr. Stapp was president of the Community State Bank in Linden and finance committee chairman and treasurer of the Union County Republican Party. In 1966 he received the brotherhood award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews for advancing the cause of human rights. Mr. Stapp was an elder at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield and a member of the Echo Lake Country Club, Westfield, and the Allenhurst Beach Club. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, he lived in Westfield, Allenhurst, California, Costa Rica, Birmingham and Atlanta before moving to Kennewick, Washington eight years ago. Surviving are sons Charles K., Darby and Bryan; a daughter, Stephanie Mannino; a sister, Virginia Bryant; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.