Loren C. Packard

Loren was a graduate of Western Carolina University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and met his wife, Margaret. He had a successful career in sales of building materials. He was also a general contractor and the business owner of Avanti Hearth Products and Avanti Custom Homes.

Loren was active in the Belmont community serving on the Planning and Zoning Board, Board of Adjustments, and the Environmental Sustainability Board. He attended First Presbyterian Church of Belmont.

Loren’s hobbies included collecting and restoring classic cars, attending car shows around the country, and riding his Harley Davidson. In his spare time, Loren was often doing yard work, house projects and was always available to help his friends and neighbors.  Loren loved spending time with his family and friends and in his later years, found great joy in becoming a grandfather to Smith, who he affectionately called “Sport”.  He was a wonderful husband and a loving and proud father and “Papa”. Loren’s daughter, Kristin, was the light of his life.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Margaret Bumgardner Packard; daughter and son-in-law, Kristin Packard Henriksen and John Henriksen; grandson, Carson Smith Henriksen; brother, Dick Shull and nephews, Vic, Brad, and Doug Shull.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 16, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church of Belmont with Rev. Sam Warner officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the gathering space. A private service of committal will be held for the family at the church Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 102 S. Central Ave., Belmont, NC 28012, www.fpc-belmont.org <http://www.fpc-belmont.org> , or to the Parkinson’s Foundation,1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018, <https://www.parkinson.org>