Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

August 2, 2025

 CHARLOTTE - John Randolph Georgius, 80, described himself as the luckiest man on earth. He was born September 12, 1944 in Baltimore, Maryland and passed away peacefully at his home in Charlotte, NC on Saturday, August 2, 2025. A natural storyteller, he brought each memory vividly to life, reflecting on the lessons found in both joy and hardship. He held his childhood adventures and duck hunting stories as dearly as his accomplishments in banking.

Growing up in Decatur, Georgia, John had three sisters and not much room in a modest home. His father was a foreman at General Motors and taught John the value of hard work. He loved sports and stood out for his natural athletic ability and talent on the baseball field. His all-time favorite photo was when he was nine years old in his little league team uniform. John had fun with a side of mischief in high school, always with good intentions and good stories.

At age 19, John was married and attended night school at Georgia State University. He needed a job, any job, and went door-to-door in downtown Atlanta. After a few “not hiring” stops at various places, he walked into Southern Bell, where he took an aptitude test and left. Next down the street was Fulton National Bank. As luck would have it, he was handed the exact same test. Remembering the answers, he completed it in record time. They thought he was brilliant and offered him a job as a file clerk in the mailroom.

Over the next 35 years, John rose from the mailroom at Fulton National to the highest levels of leadership in the financial industry. His journey took him through roles in the trust department at Liberty Bank in Savannah and Flagship Bank in Miami, before he joined First Union in Charlotte, where he ultimately served as President and Vice Chairman of the Corporation.

John’s impact at First Union was both broad and deep, shaping the bank during a critical period of growth. As the leader responsible for integrating acquisitions, he played a central role in executing the bank’s aggressive expansion strategy. Over his tenure, he successfully led the integration of over 65 acquisitions, a demanding process that often required tough decisions and decisive leadership. 

John was a champion for the community, having served as chair of the Charlotte Chamber and Arts and Science Council, as well as playing a key role in securing funding for Charlotte’s Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. John was a strong advocate for public education and First Union’s long-standing support of K-12 schools. He approved paid time off for employees to volunteer in schools, which led to thousands of hours of service in classrooms and earned First Union the national Points of Light Award, presented by the President.

By far, John’s favorite day at First Union was a Legends car event for charity. Employees could take a spin in a Legends car for a donation to the United Way. The leaders of the time trials would advance to a one-on-one race with John. With a bit of an advantage from racing his own car and countless laps of practice, The United Way received generous donations, and John, in his black racing suit, had his day in the sun.

In addition to his community work, John served on the boards for Visa USA, Visa International, Alex Lee, and Cogdell Spencer, as well as the board of Presbyterian College.

After retirement, John had more time to spend traveling, hunting, and enjoying a more relaxed pace. Friday lunches with Johnny were always a highlight and were generally from a drive thru. Affectionately known as Poppy to his grandchildren, he especially loved taking his family on trips and adventures, showing them the coolest parts of the US and beyond. The gathering spot most requested by family and friends for decades, though, was John’s Summer Duck Farm outside of Mt. Gilead, NC. They took John for one last scenic ride in the ATV in late July, which is a tender and lasting memory.

The family will have a private celebration of John’s life on Saturday. A visitation will be held in the Pavilion at Quail Hollow Club on Sunday, August 10th from 3-5 pm. Friends of John and his family are invited to drop in, give them a hug, and share a memory.

Those missing John the most are his son, John R. Georgius Jr. (Sherrard), and their daughters, Amelia and Lucy; Johnny and Kim’s mother, Jackie; grandchildren Astrid, Laurens, and Wessel Hendrikx from the Netherlands; stepdaughter Allison Blake Martens (Christian) and their daughter, Tate; sisters Pat and Cris, nephew Chris (Brianna); Jennifer, the “little general” Peña; and his beloved companion and partner, Noi Laughinghouse. He is predeceased by his daughter, Kimberly Georgius Ballenger, his wife, Nancy Blake Georgius, and his sister, Jody Georgius. He held them all in his heart.

The family wishes to thank Thomas Bass and Kingsley Amankwah for their dignified care and friendship towards John in his last chapter of life. Additionally, the exceptional care provided by Dr. Michael Johnson, Crystal, and Lanita at Perspective Health meant the world to the family. In life and in death, we all belong to God. May he rest in eternal and everlasting peace.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.