Charles Jackson "Jack" Washam Jr.

1917 - 2017

Charles Jackson "Jack" Washam Jr., age 99, died peacefully on August 3, 2017, at Sunrise on Providence in Charlotte, NC. He was born September 11, 1917, at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte. He grew up in the Dilworth area of Charlotte and the Fisher Park neighborhood of Greensboro and loved revisiting and reminiscing about both.

Jack graduated from Central High School in 1937. He attended Oak Ridge Military Institute for two years. At ORMI on May 18, 1938, he met Betty Wall, the love of his life. They married on August 3, 1943, in Concord and remained lovingly together for 61 years. They raised two children, Jack and Nancy, and embraced an honorary daughter, Maria, an exchange student from Argentina. They welcomed into their home countless of their children's friends, many of whom kept a fond, close connection with them.

Jack volunteered for service in the Army in October 1940 and reported to Ft. Bragg in February 1941. He served at Ft. Bragg until going to OCS at Ft. Hood, Texas, in 1943. He was deployed with the 75th Infantry Division in the European Theater, landing in France in January 1945. He walked and fought his way across France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany until a land mine ended his combat role in March 1945. He was awarded The Purple Heart. He left the Army as a Second Lieutenant in November 1945.

All his life Jack loved baseball. If he wasn't playing shortstop or second base, he was watching the game. He played at Central High School, at ORMI, and for the post team at Ft. Bragg. He also worked for years at Griffith Park, the home of the Charlotte Hornets baseball team, where he came to know many who would go on to play major league baseball. His love of the game gave him an encyclopedic knowledge of baseball with detailed recall of the games, series, and statistics, but mostly the players.

Jack also loved aviation and followed it avidly. His life spanned almost all of the development of manned flight, from the era of the World War I biplanes through the walks on the Moon and beyond. He could talk in detail about the history of all kinds of aircraft. When his father offered him the chance to go see Charles Lindbergh speak in Greensboro, he chose instead to go to the airport and see The Spirit of St. Louis. His love of aviation led him to a career with Eastern Air Lines. His favorite job, which he held for years, was scheduling flight crews. There he formed a lifetime bond with so many pilots and flight attendants who loved him as much as he did them.

Jack loved people. He could talk with anyone and make even strangers comfortable with his welcome and affirming connection. This ease with others led him to meet many famous people throughout his life. Above all, though, he loved family and treasured friends. He and Betty were beloved, central figures at many family gatherings. Among his granddhildren and even beyond he was affectionately known as "Grandy."

Jack was preceded in death by his daughter, Nancy Washam Scism, his wife, Betty Wall Washam, and his sister, Emily Washam Ferguson.

Jack will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his survivors: son C. Jack Washam III (Ware) of Edina, MN; grandchildren Amy Scism Kerr (Evan) of Charlotte, Andy Scism (Mehrak) of San Diego, CA, and Lauren Washam Bradshaw (Ryan) of Redondo Beach, CA; great-grandchildren Jackson, Everett, Lucas, and Lily; and son-in-law Darryel Scism (Selana) of Salisbury.

A service will be held on Friday, August 11, 2017, at 11 a.m. at Purcell United Methodist Church, 2141 Weyland Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28208 with Gerald Ramsey officiating. Visitation and lunch at the church will follow. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Purcell United Methodist Church. The family wishes to thank Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, Sunrise on Providence, and Atria Merrywood for the care they provided for Jack.

Arrangements will be handled by Hankins and Whittington Funeral Service, Charlotte, NC. Condolences may be sent to the family online at http://www.hankinsandwhittington.com