A memorial service will be held Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 617 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401. The family will receive friends in the Virginia Gilmer Room following the service.
Chuck was born October 8, 1945 in Fort Knox, Kentucky, to the late Charles Woods Wannamaker, Jr. and Ann Carson Wannamaker. He grew up in Greensboro. In 1964 he graduated from Page High School, where he enjoyed playing multiple sports, particularly basketball. He attended the University of NC at Chapel Hill, graduating with an undergraduate degree in history in 1968 and a law degree in 1972. Immediately after law school, he worked at Manning, Fulton and Skinner law firm in Raleigh before moving to Chapel Hill, where he served as an Assistant District Attorney. In 1979 he and his family moved to Greensboro and he continued his work as Assistant DA. Several years later he, along with four other attorneys, established the law firm Harrison, Wannamaker, Benson, Worth and Fish. In 1985, the family moved to Hilton Head, SC. While studying for the SC bar, Chuck went to work with his brother at Wannamaker Associates, an island real estate brokerage company. After passing the bar, he joined the law firm Bethea, Jordan and Griffin. He served as a criminal law attorney. The family moved back to Greensboro in 1993. For 20 years until retirement, he served as a Guilford County Assistant Public Defender.
Chuck was an avid sports fan who wouldn’t dream of missing a Carolina basketball or football game. One of his passions was sharing his love and knowledge of basketball with Greensboro youth. He volunteered for many years coaching First Presbyterian Church basketball and led his teams to many championships. He also volunteered as a middle school basketball coach with his son Skotty at Canterbury School in Greensboro. His favorite thing to do, however, was watching his own children participate in whatever sport they chose. He never missed a game. When not coaching, Chuck enjoyed playing tennis and golf. Perhaps his favorite “sport” was dancing. He was quite the dancer. In fact, he boasted his whole life about dancing the nights away at his beloved ATΩ fraternity house in Chapel Hill. He would often claim he was All Campus Dancer four years running.
Chuck never met a stranger and was loved by all who knew him. He held court in a courtroom but he also “held court” while enjoying his friends. He could often be found regaling them with interesting and amusing anecdotes. He also enjoyed good food. His friends would be the first to tell you that Chuck never met a meal that wasn’t the best meal he’d ever had.
His greatest passion was his family. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Gayle, and a dedicated father to their three children Skotty, Millie and Charlie. He took pride in all their endeavors. His grandchildren adored their Poppy, and he loved them very much.
Chuck was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, where he enjoyed the Young Men’s Bible Class and served as an usher. It was at First Presbyterian that he was married and his children were baptized. It is fitting for his family and friends to celebrate his life at this very church.
Chuck was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Gayle Tuttle Wannamaker; his three children, Carson Skottowe Wannamaker (Cameron), Melissa Gayle Henderson (Doug), and Charles Woods Wannamaker IV (Karin); his brother, James Michael Wannamaker (Pam); his five grandchildren, Catelyn Gayle Henderson, Caroline Brooke Henderson, Charlotte Lee Wannamaker, Whitaker Carson Wannamaker, and Chandler Gayle Wannamaker; and his niece, Blair Wannamaker Archila (Jorge) and nephew, John Carson Wannamaker.
A very special thank you goes to Dr. Richard A. Aronson and his staff. Dr. Aronson helped Chuck and his family navigate Alzheimer’s with great compassion. For this, they are extremely grateful. The Wannamaker family also gratefully acknowledges the excellent and loving end-of-life care Chuck received at Wesley Long Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Hands for Hearts, a local charity started by his son to help children in the community with heart defects. Contributions can be made online at www.handsforhearts.org or checks can be mailed to Hands for Hearts, 6211 Brook Shadow Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410.
