Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

March 1, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Faison Shaw Kuester, Jr., of Charlotte, NC, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the age of 79.  Born on July 26, 1945, in Oxford, NC, to the late Faison Shaw Kuester, Sr. and Marianna Hancock Kuester.  Faison’s greatest joy was his family and his 54-year marriage to the love of his life, Carol.

Faison attended Myers Park High School and UNC-Chapel Hill, where he was a member of the SAE Fraternity.  After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army and served as a 1st Lieutenant in the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War.  As a platoon leader and base line defense officer, he earned a Bronze Star for his service.  His time in the military deepened his love of country—he was a proud patriot and veteran. 

Upon returning to Charlotte, he met Carol Hearn on a blind date.  Five months later, they were married and began their life together.

At age 30, Faison founded Kuester Companies, a full-service commercial real estate firm.  In 2000, he moved the business to Fort Mill, SC, growing it into the largest HOA management company in the Carolinas.  One of his crowning achievements of his many developments was the Golf Pride Global Headquarters in Pinehurst, NC.  

A fourth-generation Charlottean, Faison took great pride in his Queen City roots.  He loved sharing stories about his grandfather, Booster Kuester, and his father, Faison Sr., and their dedication to serving the community.  That same sense of service was deeply important to him. He was appointed to the Civil Service Board by then-Mayor Pat McCrory and later served as its chair, continuing his family’s legacy of giving back.

For those who knew him, Faison was the epitome of a Southern gentleman—gracious, charming, kind, and a smooth shag dancer.  Genuinely interested in everyone he met, his faith was the foundation of his character, guiding him throughout his life.  He and Carol were longtime members of Myers Park United Methodist Church. 

Faison cherished long weekends in Banner Elk, Litchfield Beach, and Pinehurst.  He loved playing golf alongside one of his nine grandkids, sharing little tips and words of encouragement to help them improve their game. 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol; their three sons, Faison Shaw Kuester III and his wife, Lori, and their children, Reid and Dillon of Charlotte, NC; Bryan Kuester and his wife, Dianna, and their children, Jackson, Mila, Miles, and Ellie of Tega Cay, SC; Eric Kuester and his wife, Katie, and their children, Wells, Ford, and Bo of Pinehurst, NC; sisters, Mariana Cox and her husband, Ray, of Greensboro, NC and Amy Kuester of Charlotte, NC; brother, Frank Kuester and his wife, Bonnie, of Greensboro, NC.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

A service to celebrate Faison’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC.  The family will receive friends following the service in Jubilee Hall.  The service will be livestreamed at:  https://test.myersparkumc.org/worship-with-us/funerals/ for those unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Faison to the Patriot Foundation, PO Box 5069, Pinehurst, NC 28374-5069 or via https://www.patriotfoundation.org.

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.