Charles Herald Henderson

Charles Herald Henderson, “Charlie,” 83, of Cary, NC, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2024. He lived a full and vibrant life, with a fun-loving spirit that touched everyone who knew him. His friends and family are mourning the tremendous loss and will forever miss him.

Born on December 31, 1940, in Jackson, GA, to Charles and Geraldine Henderson, Charlie spent most of his childhood in Alexandria, VA, where he graduated from Groveton High School in 1958. The following year, he boarded a bus to downtown Greenville, NC and began his adventure as a student at East Carolina University (ECU).

Throughout college, Charlie hitchhiked between Greenville and Alexandria to visit his family and worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor during the summers. During his time at ECU, he made lifelong friends, developed a love for North Carolina, and began cheering on the ECU Pirate football team. In 1962, he graduated with a degree in Political Science.

After living in Richmond, VA for many years, Charlie sought a job in NC. In 1971, he moved to Durham, NC, where he worked as an Information Technology Manager at the Durham VA Medical Center. Despite the demands of having a full-time job and two young children, Eric and Kristi, Charlie decided to go back to school and attended NC Central School of Law, where he excelled, graduating second in his class in 1975.

Charlie specialized in municipal law and began his career as Burlington’s Assistant City Attorney. In 1978, he was hired as Cary’s first Town Attorney, a position he held for 28 years. He played a key role in transforming Cary from a sleepy suburb of Raleigh into the thriving community it is today.

In 2005, Charlie retired to become a full-time (amateur) golfer and spend time with his soon-to-be-born granddaughter and namesake, Charley. He enjoyed his regular Sunday rounds of golf, played in Cary’s Senior Golf Association, and traveled with his golf buddies for the Annual Boondoggle Golf Weekend in SC.

When not on the golf course, Charlie could often be found enjoying time with “little Charley” and Edy—buying cookies and riding the merry-go-round at Cary Towne Center or taking them for walks outside.

Charlie was known for his quick wit and a clever, but kind-hearted, sense of humor. Humble and affable, Charlie’s easygoing nature puts people at ease. He was never late…for his tee time or the kickoff of a Pirates football game. He started a family tradition decades ago, when he took his kids, Eric and Kristi, to ECU’s Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium to cheer on the Pirates. The tradition stuck, with Charlie and Eric taking many trips to Greenville and sharing the excitement, triumphs, and disappointments of Pirate football.

With a love of the beach and sailing, Charlie spent as much time as possible in Emerald Isle, NC. His daughter, Kristi, fondly remembers many days on the sound as his “First Mate,” learning how to sail from her dad.

Charlie savored any time he spent with his granddaughters, Charley and Edy Gilewicz, and Alexa and Robin Lewis. Together, Charlie and Mary took their granddaughters on a variety of memorable trips and outings. Sleepovers filled with fun and laughter were frequent at “Granddaddy and Rosie’s.”

When Charlie’s wife, Mary, retired in 2010, they had time to fully embrace the things they loved most: sports, golf, family, and friends. They enjoyed traveling together and shared countless tee times, both on their trips and at local golf courses, and they appreciated the times spent with loved ones. In his retirement years, Charlie’s life with Mary was active, lively, and filled with love.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Mary Henderson; son, Eric Henderson (Diane) of Mebane, daughter, Kristi Gilewicz of Cary; granddaughters, Charley and Edy Gilewicz of Cary; stepdaughter, Erin Lewis (Geoff) of Raleigh; stepdaughter, Laura Barry (Angel Elderkin) of Cornelius; and granddaughters, Alexa and Robin Lewis of Raleigh; sister, Carol Grace (Dave) of California; and sister-in-law, Pat Henderson of Ohio. He is predeceased by his former wife, Lynn Henderson; and brother, Mick Henderson.

The family sends a heartfelt thanks to three organizations—Comfort Keepers of Cary, Active at Home, and Transitions HealthCare Hospice—for their tremendous care and support during Charlie’s illness.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:30 on September 15, 2024, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 Southeast Maynard Rd, Cary. A reception will follow at Page Walker Arts and History Center, 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary.

Donations:

Transitions Life Care at www.transitionslifecare.org/donate

Miracle League of the Triangle https://www.miracleleague.com/donation/

Charles Henderson Memorial Fund in support of hydrocephalus research at Duke University’s Department of Neurosurgery. Checks payable to Duke University with Charles Henderson’s name in the memo section.

Mail to: Duke Health Department

Attn: Kyle Verber

300 West Morgan Street, Suite 1000

Durham, NC 27701