WILMINGTON — Charles Benson Messick “Chuck”, 93, of Wilmington, NC passed away peacefully on February 26, 2024, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
He was born on June 9, 1930, in Keyser, WV, to the late Virgil Leonard Messick and Catherine Elizabeth Cirillo.
After graduating high school, Charles married his sweetheart, Lorena Harris and traveled across country. When they returned, he entered the Navy and served his country proudly. Once discharged from the Navy, he attended WVU, (West Virginia University) where he completed a Batchelor’s degree in Business Administration. He was a true “Mountaineer” and represented them whenever the opportunity arose. He worked for I.E. DuPont as a construction engineer until retirement and went on to enjoy playing golf, participating in several bridge clubs and square-dancing clubs with his wife. They were members of Wesley Memorial Methodist Church and enjoyed cooking and serving at the annual Bar-B-Que.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife.
Survivors include his daughters, Brenda Kresse and her husband, Sonny Kresse and Pamela Foster; grandchildren, Amanda Schultz, and Sterling Foster V; great-grandchildren, Cody, Mia and Sean Schultz, Layne Trent and Madeline Foster along with several stepchildren and grandchildren.
Charles (Papa Chuck) was a cherished husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle. He is truly loved and will be missed.
A family celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Center.