Obituary of Charles M. Paty

Charles Malvern Paty Jr. ("Chuck"), age 93, died January 20, 2018 at The Haven at Highland Creek. He was a loving, patient, good natured, humorous and devoted husband and father. Born July 29, 1924 in Charlotte, NC to the late Charles Malvern Paty Sr. and Ethel Bruton Paty. Chuck attended Charlotte Public Schools; Elizabeth Elementary, Piedmont Junior High and Central High School. His first work experience was carrying the Charlotte News in his Plaza-Midwood neighborhood as a young boy. On December 7, 1941, while Chuck was attending Central High School, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entered World War II. Chuck enlisted in the Navy that same month while in the 11t h grade. Following basic training he became a radioman and was assigned to the new battleship USS North Carolina, on which he served the entire war. During the next 4 years he earned the Navy Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal with 15 battle stars, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with 2 battle stars, WWII Occupation Service Medal with Airs, Philippine Independence Medal and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Following the surrender of Japan, Chuck was discharged from the Navy and returned to his home in Charlotte. His first job was with Ballenger Brothers Coal Company, followed by a move to Hickory, NC where he met his future wife Sue Keenan. Sue and Chuck were married in Charlotte on January 10, 1948 at Kilgo Methodist Church. They continued to live in Hickory until 1952 when they purchased half interest in a business in Asheville, NC. They spent the next 6 years in Asheville, then moved back to Charlotte in 1958, where he succeeded his father as parts manager at the White Motor Co. branch on West Morehead St. During the following years, Chuck was active in organizing the USS North Carolina Battleship Association of former crew members, and served as an officer in that organization for many years. During his employment at the White Motor Corporation he participated in several overseas assignments, one in Vietnam during that war and one in Iran just before the Shah was deposed. In 1972 the Paty's were transferred to the White Motor corporate office in Cleveland, Ohio. Volvo AB purchased the White Motor Corporation and the Paty's were transferred to Greensboro, NC in 1982 where the new Volvo/White Corporate headquarters was established. He retired from Volvo/White and moved back to Charlotte in 1987, where he took a job with Lucas Truck Sales and later the Volvo/White truck dealership, retiring (again) in 1990. During the 1960's and early 1970's, he assisted his wife with her Girl Scout troop. In later years, he was a volunteer with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department and the Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington, NC. Chuck received great pleasure writing occasional articles for the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood newsletter, regarding his experiences on the USS North Carolina during World War II and of growing up in Plaza-Midwood in the 1920's and 1930's. Chuck was an avid, accomplished (obsessed!) photographer his entire life and had a great love of military & world history, travel, woodworking, boating and genealogy. He had an enduring curiosity about life, places, people and other cultures. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Sue Keenan Paty, daughter Candace Paty Martin (Bill) of Burnsville, NC, granddaughter Megan Martin (Edward) of Charlotte, NC, son Charles M. Paty III (Brent) of Charlotte, NC., nieces Hope Hall, Holly Adkisson, Heather Rohrer, and nephew Hamilton Hall. The family would like to especially thank the staff at the Laurel's and Haven at Highland Creek, and Hospice & Palliative Care for their tireless and loving attention to Chuck's care. Services will be private. Memorial donations in Chuck's honor may be sent to: Friends of the Battleship North Carolina PO Box 480 Wilmington, NC 28402