Charles E. Tart, 88, passed away peacefully at his home in Linden, NC on Thursday, October 17th, 2019, surrounded by his family.
Charles was born on August 3rd, 1931 in Sampson County, NC, to Stephen E. and Bertha Tart. On January 13, 1949, when he was just 17 years old, Charles enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington, for advanced training in Army tank operations, assigned to the 72nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. A veteran of the Korean War, Charles reached the rank of Staff Sergeant and served on the front lines for over 10 months. He was honorably discharged from the Army on June 25, 1952.
After the war, Charles returned to his family home and met the love of his life, Edith Parker. They married on October 13th, 1956. Charles was a loving husband, father, Poppi, and friend. He enjoyed operating Easy Street Drag Strip in Newton Grove, NC during the 1950s. For the better part of 25 years, he played piano for a local band called The Modern Knights. Some of his favorite things included playing golf and playing the piano at local nursing homes.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Edith; daughter Julie and husband Tommy McLamb; daughter Suzanne and husband Todd Hedgepeth; sister Sallie Lee; and three grandchildren Taylor McLamb Pascoe and husband Braden, Garett Hedgepeth, & Parker Hedgepeth. He was preceded in death by his mother, Bertha Tart; father, Stephen E. Tart; and three brothers, Junius Allen, Joe Whit, & Ray Bryan.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Village Baptist Church in Fayetteville, NC on Thursday, October 24th. The family will receive friends from 9:30-10:45 am prior to the service at 11:00 am.
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