Charles M. Carr passed away peacefully at home October 5, 2024 at the age of 89 after a wonderful life.
He was born in Dunn, NC in 1935. The story goes that he met the love of his life on a tricycle when he was 3 years old and married her in 1954. He joined the US Air Force after graduating from Dunn High School and off they went on their great adventure. He worked on his college education while serving his country. 1974 was a banner year-- he graduated with his BS in Business from the University of New Hampshire as well as retiring from the United States Air Force after a 20 year career. He moved his family back to North Carolina, their childhood home, planning to buy an old house to restore. That had been their lifelong dream. After months of hunting they found that "grand old house" in Youngsville and soon went to work literally transforming this old house into the home of their dreams. He also turned his sights to building his next career to support his family and their grand project. He went to work for Carolina Power & Light as a project manager working on construction of Nuclear Power plants. Building was always his passion and eventually accepted a position in 1978 with EABCO Services that required them move to Veracruz, Mexico in consulting position on a nuclear reactor being built in Veracruz.
After returning to the states in 1980 he accepted a position at Peden Steel in Raleigh, building structural steel commercial projects. Eventually he bought his own Commercial Steel Construction business. Marriot came calling and he sold out to his partners and joined Marriot to be a Project Manager building Marriott's Courtyard Hotels. Eventually Marriot wanted him to move to Washington DC, but leaving the home they had poured so much blood, sweat and tears into was out of the question and he retired. After several years Marriot came calling again and talked him out of retirement to oversee the remodel of the Courtyard Hotels. His conditions were he worked from Youngsville and they agreed. He finally really retired for good and turned his focus homeward in 1999 and enjoyed his life's work. He enjoyed nothing more than going to his farm, taking care of his horses and mowing his "Pond" for hours on end and occasionally he would drop a line in the pond to fish. Time slowly kept him at home more and more and in recent years he spent hours sitting on his beautiful porch with his dog "Scooter" waving to the neighbors and visiting with family and friends.
A very private man, Charlie was happy to be alone, but if needed, he was there to help. He was very proud of North Carolina and America. Family was everything to him. He loved his wife of 64 years, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and his cherished friends. Home was the most important thing in life to him. You always knew exactly where you stood with him, good or bad.
Charlie was preceded in death by his wife Kay (Cooke )Carr, and son Charles Christopher Carr.
He is survived by his children Ricka Kreider, her husband Gary, his son Mike Carr, and his wife Jackie; 3 grandchildren-- Matthew Kreider and wife Katie, Sarah Kreider Kinnard and husband Aaron and Michael Christopher Carr; 5 step grandchildren-- Kyle Bennett, Joel Koito and wife Ashley M., Jason Koito and wife Ashley D., Nathan Koito, and Shane Koito. Additionally, he has 3 great grandchildren and 3 step great grandchildren-- Kaleb and Luka Kreider, Graydon Kinnard, Korbin Koito, Kaci Liberto and Colson Koito. And last but not least Scooter, his very loyal dog that was his shadow.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made in his memory to Samaritan's Purse (at
www.samaritanspurse.org) so they can continue to help his fellow North Carolinians suffering in Western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene's devastation.
The family has requested privacy and will be honoring his life in private. Charlie's requests and directives were for a private interment and no public service.
Please visit
www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Carr family.
Published by The Wake Weekly on Oct. 19, 2024.