Charles Tombras Obituary

A Life of Courage, Vision, and Unshakable Family Values
Charles "Charlie" Tombras, decorated U.S. Army Ranger, fly-fishing world record holder, devoted family man, and the visionary force behind one of the most influential advertising agencies in the world, Tombras, passed away peacefully in Knoxville, Tennessee on July 2. He was 83.
Born and raised in Knoxville, he brought a rare combination of discipline, curiosity, and warmth to everything he did. After graduating from the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Charlie attended the University of Tennessee where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and graduated with a Bachelors degree in journalism. After college, Charlie joined the Army serving his country honorably in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for valor and other commendations.
Upon returning home from Vietnam, Charlie joined Tombras, the advertising agency his father, Charles P. Tombras Sr., had founded two decades earlier. Charlie would grow the agency and create iconic campaigns for Farm Bureau Insurance, US Cellular, the national Drunk Driving and Click It or Ticket seat belt initiatives along with McDonald's, even helping to launch the famous Chicken McNuggets. Along with his son, Dooley, the two would grow the agency to have over 500 employees and offices in Atlanta, New York, and Buenos Aires, Argentina while keeping headquarters on Gay Street in Knoxville.
In 2022, Charlie led the charge in establishing the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with the goal of increasing overall enrollment at the college and supporting historically underrepresented students in the program.
Outside of advertising, Charlie was a devoted family man and avid outdoorsman.
Charlie shared a deep and formative chapter of his life with his wife, Carol Smith Tombras, who passed away in 2011. As the mother of their son, Dooley, Carol played an essential role in shaping the values that continue to guide both the family and the business.
Later in life, Charlie found renewed joy in his marriage to Brenda, who was a loving partner and steadfast presence through his later years, including his battle with leukemia. Together, they shared a quiet appreciation for family, friends, and the East Tennessee landscape Charlie loved so dearly. They enjoyed creating many memories entertaining relatives and friends at the family ranch in Walden, Colorado.
After receiving a bone marrow transplant in 2018, Charlie was granted seven additional years in which he became Grandpa to Rex and Roman, often picking them up from preschool, taking them to McDonalds, the park and teaching them how to fish for trout.
Charlie held multiple world records in fly-fishing for marlin, sailfish and spearfish and spent formative moments in the Smoky Mountains and the rivers of Colorado. Charlie was also an accomplished whitewater canoeist and after years of research and planning completed the first descent of the Flowers River in the remote wilderness of northern Labrador. Friends recall his stories from the outdoors as vividly as his stories from the boardroom.
Active in his Christian faith, Charlie attended Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church and enjoyed his Bible study amongst close friends.
Charlie leaves behind a legacy not only of business success, but of generational impact. He believed deeply that business leaders have a responsibility to leave things better than they found them-whether that meant investing in employees, strengthening the community, or mentoring the next generation of leaders. His life was proof that those principles are more than ideals-they are the foundation of lasting success.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Brenda Tombras, Knoxville, TN; his son and business partner, Dooley Tombras (Kyri), Knoxville, TN; his son Charlie Tombras, III, and his grandchildren Rex and Roman, Knoxville, TN, stepson John Trotter, grandsons John Charles and Ernest, Knoxville, TN. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Butler and niece Lucy Scarbrough and a wide circle of extended family, friends, and colleagues who were fortunate to know and love him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles P. Tombras Sr. and Ellen Weaver Tombras.
Charlie often said the greatest honor of his life was working alongside his father and son. That continuity, from one generation to the next, defines the heart of the Tombras story.
His was a life well lived, full of purpose, generosity, and a quiet but steady greatness. He will be deeply missed-and forever remembered.
A funeral service will be held at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, July 8th at 11:00am with a receiving a friends to follow. A private family graveside service with full military honors will be held at Highland Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church (www.sequoyahchurch.org) or Tombras School of Advertising & Public Relations (476 Communication & Information Building,1345 Circle Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-0332).
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rosefuneraltn.com