Charles Gary Harbour

Charles G. Harbour, age 86, of Columbus, GA, passed away on December 26, peacefully, surrounded by family.

 He was a lifelong resident of Columbus, Georgia and spent much of his life living on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. A graduate of Jordan Vocational High School and Columbus State University with a degree in accounting. He applied that knowledge in a successful career of 45 years employment with Synovus, formerly Columbus Bank and Trust Company, where he rose from his original position as teller to Senior Vice President of Internal Audit. As a young man, Charles was an accomplished amateur boxer winning several "Georgia State Golden Gloves" titles and was a finalist in the "National Golden Gloves" Championship. He was honored in 2015 with induction into the Georgia Boys Club Hall of Fame.

A lifelong athlete, Charles had a passion for tennis, running, triathlons, cycling, snow skiing, sailing and hiking. Some of his major accomplishments include summits of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in Peru among others. Charles and his wife, Valorie enjoyed many years of active vacation travel, cycling most of the countries in Europe, snow skiing in France, Switzerland and New Zealand with Montana being one of his favorites. They ran with the bulls in Pamplona and snorkeled The Great Barrier Reef in Australia. One of his great joys was sharing the gift of travel with his children and grandchildren on many memorable trips, always dubbed as "Babu's Big Adventure". Charles was known by all for his kindness, humor, tact, generosity, and deepest love of family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Valorie Adams Harbour of 31 years, daughter Lisa Sams (Daniel) of Louisville, Kentucky, son Jim Harbour (Scarlet) of Columbus, sisters Sandra Smith (Ken) and Barbara Thomason (John Wayne). Grandchildren Jackson Sams, Ramsey Harbour (Savannah), Charles Austin Sams, great grandson, Jack Harbour and the mother of his children, Kathleen Williams (John).

He was preceded in death by his parents Mildred Killingsworth Harbour and Patterson Harbour and brothers Richard Harbour (Imogene) and James Harbour of Columbus. The family would like to express the utmost appreciation to the staff at Spring Harbor. Their attention and care for the past couple of years was exemplary.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 2nd, 2:00 PM at the pavilion at Riverdale Cemetery. The service will be conducted by Dr. James Elder.

In lieu of flowers please consider giving to the the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus, 1700 Buena Vista Road, Columbus, GA 31906 or CORTA 5050 Cooper Creek Parkway, Columbus, GA 31907