Marion Hammond Rauers

Franklin, NC - Marion Hammond Rauers, 69, of Highlands, North Carolina passed away peacefully on the evening of Tuesday, March 24, 2015 following a lengthy battle with cancer. Mr. Rauers was born in Savannah, Georgia, the son of the late Hammond and Madge Parker Rauers. He attended Savannah Country Day High School and was a star in both prep football and track. He was selected Savannah Football Player of the Year in 1960 and in 1962 was the Georgia State Champion in the 220 yard dash. Mr. Rauers attended UNC Chapel Hill and graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Science degree.

In 1971 he moved his family to Charleston, South Carolina where he began a career in the medical supply business and eventually acquired an interest in the company. Upon the sale of the medical supply business, Mr. Rauers began a very successful and lengthy career in real estate and earned accolades as a Million Dollar Producer for many consecutive years. It was during his real estate career that he founded and served as president of the East Cooper Top Producers Club and was recipient of the Realtors Roundtable of Excellence award. Later, employing his extensive experience in residential real estate in the Charleston area, Mr. Rauers ventured further into the area of real estate investments and partnerships. In recent years, Mr. Rauers, ending his career in real estate, joined his two sons in their automobile business in Franklin, NC, where he served in numerous capacities until his recent retirement. It was during this time that he became known affectionately as "The Ambassador of Highlands". Mr. Rauers served on the vestry at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, was a member of the Kiwanis Club and, always striving to be intimately involved with his sons’ activities, was a coach in Little League for many seasons. He was an avid sportsman drawn to the salt water and the tidal creeks of the low country and spent much of his time boating and fishing there with his sons and numerous friends. He had a passion for living, lived life to the fullest and helped his many friends and family do the same.

Mr. Rauers is survived by two sons, C. Hammond Rauers and his wife Mitzi Rauers of Highlands, Bryan Rauers and his wife Kerry Rauers of Franklin, North Carolina, grandchildren William Rauers and Catherine Rauers and niece Kim Cleghorn of Lakeland, Florida.

A memorial service, presided by Rev. Paul Christy, will be held Saturday, March 28th at 4:00 pm at Highlands United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to the Gilliam’s Promise youth coalition at Highlands United Methodist Church.

Bryant Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences are available by visiting bryantgrantfuneralhome.com or by email.