Harold Vernon "“Hal”" Tarleton

Harold Vernon ("Hal") Tarleton died peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, on February 8, 2026, from complications of normal pressure hydrocephalus. He is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Virginia ("Ginny") Witherington Tarleton; three children, Tracy (Art) Gentile, Emi (Gibson) McCall, and Adam (Melissa) Tarleton; six grandchildren, Sy Gentile, Jack Gentile, Mac McCall, Eliza McCall, Grady Tarleton, and John Harper Tarleton; his older brother, Larry (Judy) Tarleton; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Hal grew up in a farmhouse on Highway 74 in Anson County, North Carolina, the fourth of five children born to Harold and Martha Tarleton. After graduating from Anson High School, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a Veteran's Administration scholarship. In Chapel Hill, he developed a lifelong passion for Tar Heel sports, earned a degree in English and Journalism, and-most importantly-met the love of his life, Ginny Witherington, whom he married on April 23, 1971, just before graduation.

Following graduation, he attended the Coast Guard's Officer Candidate School, and was commissioned as an Ensign and later promoted to Lieutenant. After serving three years in the Coast Guard in Washington, D.C., Hal began a 35-year career in local journalism, first as editor of The News in Hamlet, North Carolina, then The Register in Danville, Virginia. In 1980, Hal and his family moved to Wilson, North Carolina, where he worked nearly thirty years for the Wilson Daily Times, first as managing editor, then editor, before retiring as opinion editor. By the time of his retirement in 2009, Hal had written over 1,500 weekly columns, won 39 state and national newspaper awards, and served as a board member or officer of the N.C. Press Association, the N.C. Editorial Writers Association, and the N.C. Associated Press News Council.

In addition to his professional work as a journalist, Hal was an active volunteer in his church and community. He served on the board of numerous local nonprofits, including the American Red Cross, the United Way, and Habitat for Humanity, and was an active member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Wilson for over 40 years, serving on the church council and as a lay leader in worship services, and teaching adult Sunday school and Bible study classes. His deep and thoughtful faith was an inspiration to his family and many friends.

Hal loved his work and was justifiably proud of his achievements as a newspaperman and in the community, but his greatest pride and deepest love was reserved for his family, especially his children and grandchildren. As he wrote in the Wilson Daily Times in 2006, "I never thought of my job title as the summation of my life. Far from it. What I'm proudest of in my life are my wife, who made the fortunate misjudgment of marrying me before she was old enough to know better, and our children."

He loved attending children's sporting events and performances and rarely missed an opportunity to attend a gathering of his extended family. His belief in the importance of being present with family was so powerful, he convinced his children that waking up at 4:30 a.m. on Christmas Day to drive 160 miles to Anson County in time for breakfast with his aunts, uncles, and cousins was the epitome of festive holiday fun.

His priorities were apparent in his last days, which he spent in the company of Ginny and his children, and in the care of Gentiva Hospice, to whom the family is grateful for their incredible support and kindness over the last several months of Hal's illness.

A funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Greenville at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 28. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions in Hal's honor to Habitat for Humanity or a charity of your choice.