Charles Tye Sr.

Charles E. Tye Sr. CHESAPEAKE - Charles E. Tye Sr., 88, passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, April 24, 2010. Born Nov. 25, 1921 in Orinoco, Ky., he was the oldest son of the late Carrie Smith Tye Perkins and Arthur Tye. He began at an early age working in the coal mines of Kentucky with his father and brothers. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and moved to Portsmouth after his discharge from the service where he work as a supply clerk at NNSY until he retired in 1992. For the last three years, he called Lighthouse Pointe in Chesapeake his home. He was predeceased in death by his sisters, Mildred Tye Andrews, Helen Jewel Tye and four brothers, Thomas Tye, Estil Tye, Harold Tye and Speedy Tye. Survivors include his two daughters, Linda Tye Bowles and husband Tom and Brenda Tye Gurnik and husband Marty, all of Chesapeake and his son, Charles "Eddie" Tye Jr. of Portsmouth; granddaughters, Mary Flemming and husband John of Culpeper, Va., Amy Parker and husband Donnie of Norfolk, Cherie L. Bowles of Hampton, Brandi Mezzapesso and husband Pete of Virginia Beach and Meghan A. Tye of Norfolk; grandsons, Eric T. Bowles, Larry H. Bowles and wife Megan, all of Chesapeake, Michael P. Ellyson of Philadelphia, David A. Ellyson and wife Pam, also of Chesapeake; 14 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews. He loved classic movies, westerns, history/trivia, country and western music and reading books, especially celebrity biographies. He loved telling stories of his life and the people he met throughout his life. He also leaves behind a host of wonderful friends at Lighthouse Pointe. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, at the Great Bridge Chapel of Oman Funeral Home & Crematory, 653 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322. The memorial service for family and friends will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, at Lighthouse Pointe, 933 Cedar Road, Chesapeake. Interment will follow at a later date.