Charles Hardin West, Jr.

Charles Hardin West, Jr. a native of Greensboro and life-long resident, died peacefully on October 24, 2024 at the age of 85. The son of Charles Hardin "Charlie" West and Elizabeth Wall West, he was known throughout his life as “Skipper.”

He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Patricia "Pat" Clontz West, their children, Debbie West of Greensboro, Kathryn West of Raleigh, Tricia West Weston (Deron) of Raleigh and three adoring grandchildren, Owen, Kate, and George Weston of Raleigh. Also surviving is his sister, Anne West Bennett (Butler) of Pine Knoll Shores and many nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren and dear friends.

Skipper grew up in the Starmount area where his family home was built when Holden Road was just a dirt road. As an inquisitive youngster, he loved riding horses, swimming in a local pond (now the Bog Garden) and exploring Starmount and the surrounding area. Attending local schools, he transferred his last year of high school from Greensboro Senior High (now Grimsley) to Darlington School in Rome, Georgia where he graduated. Skipper attended NC State College (NCSU) and Guilford College.

Always interested in building and development, Skipper became a Realtor, general contractor and developer. He enjoyed the camaraderie on a job site and was the owner and managing partner of several companies, with West Realty Company being his primary office. His mobile office was his truck and it had everything, including the kitchen sink in it, as he was spotted around town driving from job site to job site. For over fifty years, Skipper built homes throughout Greensboro including Old Irving Park, New Irving Park, Forest Oaks and Owls Roost. A hard worker, he designed, built and was the managing partner for the townhome development of Oak Ridge Meadows in Greensboro. Believing in the value of real estate, he acquired a number of residential and commercial properties which he managed in retirement years. He felt the land was his clay to sculpt building homes for families to love.

Skipper held several offices in the Greensboro Realtors Association and the Greensboro Homebuilders Association where he served as President in the seventies. In honor of his service in the state association, Skipper was presented with the Eugene Gulledge Award. He served as area Vice President of the State Homebuilders Association; and was on the board of directors for Hunt Assisted Living.

He belonged to the Kiwanis Club and Greensboro Country Club. A faithful servant, Skipper was a member of First Presbyterian Church and was involved as a Sunday school teacher and Deacon. As a member of the Young Men’s Bible Class, he enjoyed his favorite pastries and singing the best old time hymns on a Sunday morning.

An avid sportsman, Skipper was a founding member of Off Island Gun Club and a member of the original Core Banks Club on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, and shooting skeet at his cabin in Virginia. Skipper attended Camp Sea Gull the first year it opened and later served as First Mate on the Joy Boy which took campers to Morehead City. He was proud that his girls also loved attending camp and that his grandchildren joined in the ranks experiencing the best summers on the Neuse River.

The consummate family man, he loved family gatherings and was devoted to his children. Whether skiing in Montana or camping in the North Carolina mountains, he was fond of Girl Scout trips with his daughters, sailing trips with Pat and the girls and teaching his grandchildren about the beauty and bounty of the outer banks. His perfect day at the coast with family included some fishing, some napping, picking a lot of blue crabs and having one of Pat’s delicious crab cakes. He loved watching his grandkids play sports, catching fish with them and answering to the special yet funny name they gave him. Quiet, kind and gentle are the best ways to describe this humble, good humored and hardworking man who always took care of his girls.

One of Skipper’s many talents was being among the first on the dance floor. He could cut a rug with his wife, daughters, their friends and his sister. His dance card was always full as he could shag to any song played. A true gentleman, he always remembered his manners, even throughout his illness.

A service of remembrance will be held at 11am in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 617 N. Elm Street, Greensboro, on Thursday, October 31st, 2024. Please join the family after the service in the Virginia Gilmer room.

The service will also be livestreamed at fpcgreensboro.org.

The family is grateful to Skipper’s caregivers at Abbotswood and especially to Carla Meissner and Glenda Nibblett for their love and support.

Hanes-Lineberry North Elm Chapel is assisting the family. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the YMCA’s Camp Sea Gull, seagull-seafarer.org or a charity of one’s choice.