One + One = Two, but after 52 years of marriage, Jo and Jim Furr are the two who will always = one!
Jo and Jim moved to Houston almost 50 years ago and soon found an appreciation for Houston’s culture, diversity and all-inclusiveness. They have exemplified this by supporting and working tirelessly as leaders in the community.
Jo and Jim have served many organizations including the American Institute of Architects, Blaffer Art Museum, Central Houston, Fund for Teachers, The Heritage Society, Houston Area Parkinson Society, Houston Arts Alliance, Houston Ballet, Kinder HSPVA, Rice Design Alliance, Stages Repertory Theatre and New Hope Housing.
Both are graduates of LSU; Jim with a Bachelor of Architecture and Jo with a BS in Elementary Education, as well as a M.Ed. in Education from UH.  Jo authored publications and was awarded Outstanding Masters Student in Curriculum & Instruction. She taught both children and trained teachers for 30 years.  Jo has continued her work with students on the HSPVA Friends Board and the UH Board of Visitors.   She was honored as a Crohn’s & Colitis Woman of Distinction and a Virtuosi Legend of the Future.
Jim first worked as an architect in Houston with 3D/International, managing both Architecture & Interior Design on international and domestic projects. In 1987, Jim was inducted into the AIA College of Fellows.
In 1994 Jim joined Gensler as Managing Principal and helped put the Houston office on the architectural map─impacting the Houston skyline─with Gensler becoming the largest design firm in town. Jim’s leadership in the design process is evident in many successful projects such as Houston Museum of Natural Science, Reliant Energy Tower at 1000 Main, Houston Ballet Center for Dance, ExxonMobil Campus Project, and City Centre Mixed-Use Development.
Together Jo and Jim were honored by Blaffer Art Museum, the Texas Children’s Cancer Center’s Celebration of Champions, and Rice School of Architecture, who recognized them by naming the Fabrication Lab in their honor.
Jo and Jim’s greatest legacy is their daughter, their son, and families: including five grandchildren, all living in and making Houston an even greater city.