Todd Cline

Todd Wakefield Cline CHARLOTTE - Todd Wakefield Cline passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 29, 2013, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Todd was born April 28, 1964, in Greenville, South Carolina. He loved playing sports, especially baseball, and a favorite childhood memory was meeting Mickey Mantle. Upon graduating high school, both the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers drafted Todd, but realizing the value of an education, he accepted an athletic scholarship to play baseball at the University of Florida in Gainesville. After an injury early in his college career, Todd transferred to Wofford College where he received an academic scholarship. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and finished his college years playing baseball and basketball for the Terriers. Upon graduating from Wofford College magna cum laude and earning a B.A. in Economics, Todd entered The University of South Carolina School of Law where he graduated with honors in 1989. He was a member of the North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia State Bar Associations, and owner of Todd W. Cline, P.A. in Charlotte, North Carolina. Todd believed in supporting his community, and gave much time and talent to many organizations. He served as a Deacon at Myers Park Presbyterian Church where he also taught an adult Sunday school class and coached youth basketball, he was a former board member of Alexander Youth Network, coached and sponsored many teams for Dilworth Little League and Charlotte Junior Soccer, and was a sponsor of his children's swim team where he loved announcing the summer meets. Todd also enjoyed practicing law, and believed strongly in the judicial system and the idea that everyone has a right to a fair trial. He was an advocate for all children, and worked closely with various North Carolina and South Carolina organizations to provide the best possible outcome for troubled youths. Todd embraced and enjoyed life. He loved everything baseball, all beaches, walks with his wife, warm evenings on his front porch with family and friends, and listening to Jimmy Buffet sing about the island life. He was always eager to help a friend, could and would talk to anyone and was the quintessential host. During many of his Sunday school classes, Todd taught us that we are all "invited to the party." Though he will be missed terribly by his friends and family, we know that he is enjoying the party about which he spoke. In his honor and memory, we will continue to embrace the life he enjoyed. Todd is survived by his wife, Stephanie; his children, Sarah and Zachary; his parents, Terry and Shirley Cline; his brother and sister-in-law, Terry Jr. and Arah Cline, niece Grayson and nephew Graham; his in-laws, Ken and Chris Idol; brother-in-law and wife, Todd and Kim Idol, nephew Thad; and also many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. The family expresses heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Daniel Haggstrom, Dr. Stuart Burri, and Dr. Tony Asher; the nurses and staff at Levine Cancer Institute; Dr. David Reardon and Sandra Ruland at Dana Farber; Jenna Bass, Sandra Pride and all of Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, and the many friends and colleagues that have sent letters, emails, calls, and prayers that sustained and supported Todd throughout his battle. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Todd's memory may be made to Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC 28207; Outreach Ministry; Dilworth Little League, P.O. Box 12131, Charlotte, NC 28220; or the Todd Cline Memorial Fund: Wells Fargo Bank c/o Jenna Arnold, 801 Kenilworth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204. A service to celebrate Todd's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2013, at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends following the service in Oxford Hall.