The Jewish NC statesman who built a massive Christmas ornament empire dies at age 102
Marshall Rauch, a Jewish Gaston County politician who once was the largest Christmas ornament maker in the world died March 18. He was 102.
Rauch was renowned for Gastonia-based Rauch Industries, which made Christmas ornaments until the family sold the business in 1996 for about $50 million, according to Charlotte Observer archives.
Along with his business, he was known for his contributions to civic life. The Gaston County Family YMCA was one of many groups or individuals praising Rauch. On Facebook, the Y called Rauch “a dedicated leader, visionary and lifelong champion of our community.”
“His passion for education, inclusion, and community service made Gaston County a better place for all. His belief in lifting others up and creating opportunities for future generations will remain an inspiration,” the YMCA said Tuesday.
Rauch also left his mark in politics.
He was elected to the Gastonia City Council from 1952-1954 and from 1961-1965, according to his obituary. He also served two two-year terms as mayor tem, according to The Charlotte Observer archives.
In 1967, the Democrat was elected to represent the 25th District in the North Carolina Senate. He served in the Senate for 24 years until 1990.
“Saddened to learn of the passing of one of NC’s great statesmen, Marshall Rauch. He was a tremendous business and civic leader in my hometown of Gastonia-- and North Carolina. May his memory be a blessing,” former Republican U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry said Tuesday on X.
Rauch was one of the first Jewish elected officials in North Carolina, McHenry said in a speech on the House floor recognizing Rauch’s 100th birthday in 2023.
In Judaism, there are eight degrees of charity and the highest is helping someone so they won’t need help anymore, McHenry said. “You’ve done that in many, many ways for lots of people for a number of years and we’re all better for it. Thank you,” McHenry said in the speech.
Launching Rauch in business
Observer archives, a Gaston County Government news release and Rauch’s obituary provided additional details of his life.
The New York native moved to Gaston County after marrying Jeanne Girard of Bessemer City. They’d met in 1940 while attending Duke University, where he played varsity basketball.
But his college career was cut short. He was drafted into the Army infantry during World War II, from 1943 until the end of the war in 1945. He served in France, Germany and Austria, earning two Bronze Stars.
Rauch planned to go back to college but instead was offered a job earning $60 a week at his wife’s family textile plant.
Some years later with $3,500 saved, Rauch started his own company called Pyramid Mills in Gaston County. In a leased space with loaned winding machines, he purchased yarn and twine from his in-laws’ company. He wound it onto cardboard spools to sell as kite thread, crochet thread and packaging twine.
Pyramid Mills was the basis of Rauch Industries, founded in 1952.
The Rauch Satin Sheen Christmas ornament line was born in the 1960s after a call from Bill Spiegel of Spiegel Catalog asking if Rauch’s machines could wind rayon filament onto a foam ball.
The ornaments were first in Spiegel’s catalog and offered wholesale to retailers Kress, Woolworth’s and Eagle’s throughout the country.
Gastonia’s Petty Machine Co. developed winding machines for Rauch’s company that could churn out millions of glossy ornaments a month, rather than thousands. The company went public in 1983.
When Rauch sold the company to Syratech in 1996, the company had seven plants, including three in Gaston County, one in Charlotte and one in Lumberton.
In 2004, private equity fund Milestone Merchant Partners, a Washington bank, bought Rauch from Syratech Corp. in Boston. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Rauch manufactured more than 180 million Christmas ornaments a year in 2005, according to Observer archives. At that time, 80% of the ornaments were glass sold in stores like Walmart and Target.
‘Big arms and a bigger heart’
Along with public local and state offices, Rauch served as president of the Temple Emanuel synagogue board in Gastonia from 1962-64 and again in 1987-88. The Rauch Endowment for the Temple Emanuel Fund started in 2003.
From 1964-67, Rauch chaired the Gastonia Human Relations Committee that helped with desegregation of Gaston County schools, and the integration of Black customers at movie theaters and restaurants.
As representative of the N.C. 25th District Senate seat from 1967 to ‘190, he served on the finance committee.
He also was on committees raising money to build and later expand Gastonia’s YMCA, and was on local boards for organizations from the Schiele Museum to the West Gastonia Boys & Girls Club.
“There is virtually no area of Gaston and North Carolina life that the former senator has not touched,” Nadine Fox told The Charlotte Observer in 2013 when he was being presented with Temple Emanuel’s Wisdom of Solomon Lifetime Achievement Award. “This is a man with big arms and a bigger heart.”
‘What an amazing life he lived’
The reaction to Rauch’s death was swift, with messages of condolences and fond memories of the many lives he touched.
The Gaston County Museum of Art & History said on Facebook Wednesday it was “saddened” by the death of Rauch a long-time supporter of the museum and other local organizations. In Rauch’s wife’s honor, he established the Jeanne Rauch Art Endowment Fund, which supports the museum’s art collection.
“His words continue to inspire our mission to celebrate the history and art of Gaston County,” the museum said. “We are deeply grateful for the Rauch family’s lasting impact on our museum, and we will honor their legacy in the coming weeks.”
The city of Gastonia said on Facebook: “Senator Rauch dedicated his life to serving our community, and we are mourning this profound loss. ... Senator Rauch was a pillar of our community, and he will be greatly missed.”
Gaston County Commissioner Tom Keigher was longtime friends with Rauch, Gaston County Government said Tuesday on Facebook. He said his presence and influence in the community will be greatly missed.
“Senator Rauch was a man for all seasons and all people,” Keigher said. “It would be hard to find someone that has cared and been so generous to so many. It was a privilege to have been able to call him friend for so many years.”
Chabad of Charlotte said on Facebook: “In late 1970s and the early 1980s when few if any believed in the Rebbe’s vision for bringing Chabad to the Carolinas, Sen. Rauch stepped up. His leadership, guidance and friendship were crucial building blocks to all Chabad centers that exist today throughout the Carolinas.”
An outpouring of condolences on social media sites included individuals like Gene Banks of Gastonia, who said on Facebook “Enjoyed each time we got together. ... I will carry him with me within and remember our moments, sharing and laughter together.”
“He was a very kind and generous man. A great human being. He really knew how to treat people in a positive way and make them feel at ease,” Barbara Foster said on the funeral home’s page. “He had a great sense of humor and love filled the room when he walked in.”
Others talked about how he inspired and mentored them.
“He has provided advice and mentoring to me through the years. At his 90th birthday celebration, it became apparent to me that I was not the only one that he had helped,” Kenneth Sadler said in a message on the funeral home’s website. “I will miss that booming voice and radiant smile.”
“I know he will be missed by many,” Sally Williams said on the funeral home page. “What an amazing life he lived.”
Rauch was ‘deeply devoted’
Rauch and his wife of 64 years had five children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“He was deeply devoted to his family, his community, Judaism, and the State of North Carolina. His skills, optimism, and warmth greatly enhanced the quality of life of his constituents, friends, colleagues, and family,” Rauch’s three surviving children, Ingrid, Peter and Stephanie, wrote in a statement provided by Gaston County.
The Rauch name remains emblazoned on local college campuses, such as the Rauch Science and Fine Arts Building and the Jeanne Rauch Gallery at Gaston College and Marshall A. Rauch Distinguished Professor of Political Science at UNC Charlotte.
The family will take shiva calls Thursday, March 20, at 6 p.m. at the home of Stephanie Rauch, 3141 Turf Court, Gastonia, and Friday, March 21, at 7:30pm, at Temple Emanuel, 320 South St., Gastonia,as part of the weekly Shabbat service.
McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia served the family.
This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 5:30 AM.