Ways of Life: Charlotte's Chuck Norris
Also remembered: a former president of Presbyterian Hospital; a woman married at St. Patrick's Church on St. Patrick's Day; a doctor who delivered thousands of babies; a salesman who had a vineyard
You’re reading the May 18, 2021, edition of Ways of Life, a weekly obituaries newsletter from The Charlotte Ledger honoring our friends, neighbors and family members who made an impact on Charlotte through the ways they lived their lives.
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A Marine’s love for his country still rings out
Patricia and Chuck Norris had their first date at Bar-B-Q King on Wilkinson Boulevard and went on to be married for 54 years. They posed for this photo in November 1998 at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Charlotte.
By Ken Garfield
Ring the doorbell at the Charlotte home of Charles Bradley Norris Jr. and you’ll hear The Marines’ Hymn…
From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli…
Until he died from prostate cancer as the result of being exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam, everyone called this proud Marine “Chuck.” “He said he was Chuck Norris first,” his wife, Patricia Norris, noted.
The son of a Navy man, Norris grew up in Charlotte, graduated from Charlotte Catholic High School and attended Belmont Abbey College briefly before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. “He bled green,” Patricia Norris said. He served a year in Vietnam (1966), stationed at Da Nang Air Base and working in motor transport. That’s where the family believes he was exposed to the toxic herbicide whose symptoms can take decades to appear. Veterans exposed to Agent Orange carry a 50-percent risk of getting prostate cancer. Norris began to suffer symptoms in 2018. He died on March 8 at age 75.
Norris was living proof that you pigeonhole people at the risk of not fully appreciating them.
He worked as a big truck mechanic for Yellow Freight. Later in life, he worked alongside two other Marines as a school bus mechanic. “They had every Chuck Norris joke you could imagine,” Patricia Norris said. After his honorable discharge, he served 30 years in the Marine Corps Reserves, retiring proudly as a Chief Warrant Officer Four. Their front door is stickered with Marine Corps emblems. Then there’s the doorbell. He was also a member of the NRA.
But this proud Marine took pottery classes after retiring and filled their home with his wares. He took cooking classes and learned to whip up a Chinese meal. He loved gardening and couldn’t get enough of his day lilies and irises. He loved to talk and knew all the neighbors’ names. Patricia Norris said his life began and ended with family. They had one child, Lisa, now 52. She was born while he was stationed in California. He managed to make it cross-country to Charlotte to see her — for less than a day — before having to return to base.
Chuck and Patricia had their first date at Bar-B-Q King on Wilkinson Boulevard. It must have been great barbecue. They were married 54 years. “He was definitely the love of my life,” she said.
Gifts in his memory can go to Operation Homefront (www.operationhomefront.org) in San Antonio, Texas, which helps military families. His love of the Marines, though, lives on. When Patricia Norris’ cell phone rings, it plays The Marines’ Hymn.
Ken Garfield is a freelance writer/editor in Charlotte who specializes in obituaries. Reach him at garfieldken3129@gmail.com.
Other obituaries this week:
Mark D. Allegretti, 65, of Weddington, received a bachelor’s degree from Rider University and an MBA from Texas A&M University. Mark started his working career with the Delaval IMO Pump Division and relocated with the company (now named the Colfax Company) to North Carolina. He retired in 2015 after 38 years of service. When not working, his passion was adopting rescued greyhounds.
Bobby Lewis Bradshaw, 86, of Stanley, attended West Mecklenburg High School and was a member of its first graduating class in 1952, and then attended Purdue University. Bob was an accountant at First Materials in Charlotte before working for State Farm for 36 years as an agent and retiring in 2001. He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church since 1962, where he was a deacon and taught classes.
Byron Bullard, 93, of Charlotte, served in the U.S. Air Force and returned to Wake Forest, graduating in 1951. He worked at Presbyterian Hospital, advancing to president and CEO in 1977, where he remained until his retirement in 1991. He joined St. John’s Baptist Church in 1951, becoming a lifetime deacon and was a member of the Charlotte Rotary for many years. “He taught his family to trust the Lord in all of life, and to live by the Golden Rule. His optimism and cheer were infectious, and he made everyone he met feel worthy and valued.”
Pearline D. Davis, 68, taught in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system for 31 years before retiring in 2007. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha since 1984 and served the sorority in the Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter of Charlotte.
Ward Maynard Eulitt, 59, was raised in Charlotte and started his working career as a manager at O’Brian’s Restaurant. He later worked for Monarch Color as well as Jack West before joining the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 2018. He enjoyed participating in diving competitions at Sardis Swim Club growing up, along with archery and sharpshooting competitions with the Boy Scouts. “Family time was spent learning challenging board games, card games and video games. Favorites included Risk, Axis & Allies, Backgammon, Cribbage, Gin & Spades, Pac Man and Tempest.”
Arthur “Vernon” Flynn Jr. 86, graduated from Berea College in 1956. He worked for the federal government for 30 years before retiring in 1988, serving as an administrative officer with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Army. He served over 30 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel and was a chairman of the Awards Committee for the North Carolina Employer Support for Guard and Reserve with the Department of Defense.
G. William Gleasner, 85, of Newton, worked as a salesman for Ingersoll-Rand and became a photographer at 35, traveling the world with his wife accompanying her on her articles for numerous publications. He was a founding member of the Denver-Lake Norman Rotary Club. He waterskied until age 60 and played handball until he was 82.
Belvintine Lawrence Gray, 70, graduated from Olympic High School in 1969 and attended Mt. Moriah Baptist Church as a young girl. She worked for Shoney’s Restaurant for over 25 years before retiring. She was a loving aunt, relative and friend to those close to her. “She was best known for her style of dressing from head to toe (she could pass for Tina Turner). She was a feisty, sassy, and spicy lady that lived her life her way.”
Shirley W. Greene, 91, was a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy in Belmont. She was married on St. Patrick’s Day at St. Patrick’s Church in Charlotte. As a working mom to her children growing up, she was employed by Addressograph, Charles Chips and Leibowitz Research. She was an avid tennis player and a big fan of the Carolina Tar Heels.
Joseph C. Hamilton, 74, of Charlotte, was an Army veteran who worked for N.C. ABC Stores for five years before becoming a machinist. He was a certified machinist for Pelton & Crane (later the Siemens Company), working there for several years until retiring in 2012. He was an active member of Seigle Avenue First Church of God from the mid-eighties until 2005. In 2009, he joined the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Robert (Bob) Howell, 82, of Charlotte, received his bachelor of science in engineering degree from UNC Charlotte. Bob served seven years in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, and then served as an instructor at the Nuclear Power School for two years. After the Navy, he moved to Charlotte and worked for Duke Energy for 32 years as a Hydro Electro Design Engineer and played an integral part in the design of Oconee Nuclear Plant, Keowee Hydro Station, Jocassee Pump Storage Station and Bad Creek Pump Station.
Helen Newlin Lineberry, 99, of Charlotte, attended Guilford College and Appalachian State Teacher’s College. She taught elementary school in Elon and worked as a substitute teacher in the CMS school system. In addition, she worked in the office of the Motor Equipment and Service Company. Helen was a member of Plaza Presbyterian Church since 1957 and taught children’s Sunday school.
Thomas Franklin Lynch Jr. 83, of Charlotte, was a U.S. Army veteran serving in the 82nd Airborne out of Fort Bragg. He worked as a long-distance truck driver for Carolina Freight/ABF and was a member of the Christian Fellowship Church in Cornelius.
Tommy Lampros Megremis M.D. 67, of Charlotte, received a bachelor of arts and a master of science in chemistry degree from UNC Charlotte before receiving his medical degree from UNC Chapel Hill. He started his OB/GYN practice, Carmel OBGYN, in 1990, building a successful practice as a doctor and surgeon. After retirement, he joined the Charlotte Amateur Astronomers Club and was awarded the title of vice president of programming. With his love for golf, he became a member of the Carmel Country Club.
Dr. George E. Melton, 89, of Laurinburg, graduated from Davidson College before getting his Ph.D. from UNC Chapel Hill. He taught history at Pfeiffer University before moving on to St. Andrews University to continue his teaching before retiring from the classroom in 2013 after 57 years. He published many periodicals and two books, Darlan, Admiral, and Statesman of France, 1881 – 1942 and From Versailles To Mers El-Kebir. Growing up he spent many nights playing basketball at Charlotte Central YMCA. “During his 4 years of college, he played a determined game of basketball and was known at Davidson as the ‘Hook Shot Artist.’”
Jo Ann Douglas Mock, 82, of Charlotte, spent her school years at Thomasboro, Long Creek, and North Mecklenburg schools. When her children became school age, she enjoyed a career as a teller at Sun Bank, DeLeon Springs Bank, Northwestern, First Union and BB&T Banks. She was an avid reader of fiction and the Sunday crossword puzzle and was a lifelong Duke Blue Devils basketball fan. “Jo Ann never gave up hope that Publishers Clearing House would call on her one day. She always dreamed of buying a big plot of land with her winnings, where all her family could live around her.”
Vasilios “Bill” Plakas, 53, of Lincolnton, was a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Charlotte. He worked as a cook at Mountain View Restaurant in Kings Mountain. Bill was born in Greece, enjoyed sports, especially golf, and appreciated visiting the beach.
Nancy O’Herron Rankin, 98, a resident of The Cypress in Charlotte, was a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of Charlotte Country Club, Quail Hollow Country Club, Blowing Rock Country Club, the Everglades Country Club, the Charlotte Junior League and the Charlotte Debutante Club. She had many interests including golf, piano, tap dancing, gardening and music.
Chip Richardson, 68, of Thurmond, graduated from N.C. State University with a degree in nuclear engineering. He worked in sales for 25 years before accomplishing his dream of having a vineyard. Chip was a charter member of New Beginnings Moravian Church, played the baritone in the Moravian Brass band, and enjoyed sailing vacations to the east and west coasts and the Caribbean. “Chip wrote his life story as part of the 2021 Lenten program. His last draft dated March 27, 2021 closes with ‘When I throw off the dock lines of this earthly life, I look forward to sailing into an unimaginable new universe.’”
Virginia Ruth Stuhrenberg, 85, of Charlotte, spent many years teaching English as a Second Language in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system. In addition, she developed an ESL program at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, where she spent many years volunteering and running religious education programs.
Maurice Waddell Jr. 86, graduated from High Point College in 1955 and was involved with the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduation, he attended N.C. State University for a year of post-graduate study in chemistry. He was a salesman in the pulp and paper industry for 43 years and served as the president to the Salesmen’s Society to the Dixie Pulp and Paper Industries. In his retirement, he served as the president of the Providence Optimist Club in Charlotte, tutored for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system and volunteered with the American Red Cross. He was heavily involved with Providence Methodist Church and was president of the Wesley Men’s Sunday School class.
Johnny Watkins, 73, of Charlotte, majored in industrial arts education at N.C. State University and received his bachelor of architecture degree from UNC Charlotte. He had a long career in the industry at Wilbur, Kendrick, Workman and Warren Architects and retired from Duke Energy after 25 years. He enjoyed photography, painting, traveling and volunteering.
Eric F. Winkenwerder, 60, of Charlotte, graduated from West Charlotte High School before earning a bachelor of creative arts from UNC Charlotte. As the owner of Wink Lighting, he created lighting for theater companies including Playworks, Children’s Theatre, Charlotte Repertory Theatre, North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, Omimeo, and the Moving Poets. “Whether designing lights at a country club, a home, or a theatre, Eric’s desire was to take our eyes to what mattered most.” He served as an elder, choir member and children’s ministry leader at Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Jacquelyn Steed “Jackie” Wray, 88, of Charlotte, graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a bachelor of arts in elementary education degree. She was a member of Providence Baptist Church, the Iron Dukes, Opera Guild of Charlotte, Robinson Woods Garden Club and Myers Park Country Club. Jackie was treasurer of Tri Delta at Chapel Hill and enjoyed music, bridge and working with charities.
Ways of Life condensed obituaries are compiled by Darrell Horwitz, a Charlotte-based freelance writer who writes about sports, local news and restaurants. Reach him at darrellhorwitz@gmail.com.
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Ways of Life editor: Cristina Bolling