Charles O'Connor Obituary

Charles Marvin O'Connor

November 4, 1951 - April 20, 2025

Charles Marvin "Chuck" O'Connor transitioned from the earth into heaven on April 20, 2025. Charles was a lifelong resident of Guilford County. A service to celebrate his life will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Moriah Methodist Church, 3611 Liberty Road, Greensboro, NC 27406. The family will receive friends beginning at 12 p.m., prior to the service at the church. He will be interred in the church cemetery.

Charles was predeceased by his beloved parents, Charles Ervin and Lena Hester O'Connor whom he thought the world of. He was also predeceased by wonderful grandparents, Sam and Florida Hester and Tom and Viola O'Connor; three aunts, Mary Lou O'Connor, Louise Hesters Williams and Dawn Coleman Hester; four uncles, William E. O'Connor, Sr., Marvin "Buddy" Hester, Kenneth Hester and Carl W. Williams. He is survived by two aunts, Deane C. O'Connor and Carolyn Hester; cousins, Billy O'Connor, Scott O'Connor, Deborah McCannon, Donna Brinesfield, Joyce Pinnix, Mike Williams, Rick Williams, Marvin Williams, Kenny Williams, Lori Hester, Karen Wall and Susan Hester.

He was a longtime member of Moriah Methodist Church where he served in several leadership positions over the years. Charles was a 1970 graduate of Southeast Guilford High School where he served as a school bus driver, library assistant, office assistant in the guidance department and several times as the editor of the school newspaper. He was fortunate enough to go on a very educational tour of Europe with his French teachers and 40 of his classmates. To Charles, it was the trip of a lifetime. During high school and college, he worked part-time at the Sears Catalog Order Plant in Greensboro.

Charels graduated from UNCG with honors, magna cum laude in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History, followed by attaining his Master's degree in Educational Administration with Principal Certification in 1980. He began his teaching career at T., Wingate Andrews High School in High Point, where he taught World History, Eastern Culture History, Sociology and Psychology. While at Andrews, he was selected as "Teacher of the Year" by his colleagues, which meant a great deal to him.

In the fall of 1980, Charles was hired by the Greensboro City Schools to become an Assistant Principal at Ben L. Smith Senior High School. He was warmly welcomed and had an excellent faculty. He was selected twice at Smith as "The Administrator of the Year." He also recruited and trained many excellent school bus drivers.

In 1986, Charles was promoted to Assistant Director of Transportation and Safety for the Greensboro City Schools. He and his boss, Mr. Tony Gulla, were responsible for the safe operation of 246 buses and drivers. Together they hired four outstanding school bus supervisors, Mr. Jeff Stevens, Mr. Mike Rochelle, Ms. Darlene Staton and Mrs. Linda Lewis. They all worked closely together to have a safe and very efficient transportation system, and he enjoyed his time there. Charles had much respect and admiration for Mr. Gulla, the Director of Transportation and Safety for the Greensboro City Schools.

In 1994, Charles returned to teaching at Grimsley Senior High School where he taught World History and Civics for two years. Thereafter, he supervised the in-school suspension and after school detention programs which allowed him to counsel students. He was told by his principal, Jane Teague that he had a big heart. Throughout his career in teaching, administration and scouting, he served as a role model, mentor and father figure to many young people.

Charles was very active in the Boy Scouts of America program. He was proud to be an Eagle Scout and a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. During the summers of 1967, 1968 and 1969, he served as a scout camp counselor and quartermaster at Boy Scout Camp Wenasa in Brown Summit. He was Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 369 at Moriah Methodist Church for 20 years and enjoyed working with many excellent adult scout leaders and a huge number of super great Boy Scouts. While being a Scout master, Charles completed the Scout Council's Wood Badge training course at Wenasa, often referred to as the Ph.D of Scouting. One year at the local scout council banquet and awards ceremony he was awarded the National Boy Scouts of America President's Award of Merit.

Upon retirement, Charles constructed a huge greenhouse and used the skills taught to him by his grandparents, Tom and Viola O'Connor, to grow many vegetable and flowering plants to sell. He also learned how to root camelias, hollies and several other plants. He thoroughly enjoyed this hobby for about 12 years.

During the late winter of 2016, Charles had the unique opportunity to take over and begin operation of Lakeview Restaurant in Fancy Gap, VA. Lakeview Restaurant was a favorite eatery for him and his parents, and he had always wanted to own this family style restaurant with country cooking. He himself was a good cook, having been well taught by his mother and two grandmothers, and learning in the scouts as well. Charles truly enjoyed operating Lakeview Restaurant as well as working with his wonderful staff. He got to know so many wonderful customers who became great friends.

His hobbies included fishing, coin collecting, writing, growing plants, cooking and spending time at Baden Lake in Fancy Gap and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Charles also enjoyed camping and his time in the Boy Scouts. He firmly believed in living by the Boy Scout Oath and Scout Law his entire life.

Floral tributes are welcome, or donations may be directed to Moriah Methodist Church or the Old North State Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1405 Westover Terrace, Greensboro, NC 27408. Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.