Charles ‘Chuck’ O. Van Gorder III

Charles “Chuck” O. Van Gorder III, 76, of Brasstown, N.C., passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022.

Chuck was born on Jan. 29, 1946 in Hackensack, N.J. He was the son of the late Dr. Charles O. Van Gorder and Helen Lockerby Van Gorder. He grew up in Andrews, N.C. where he attended public school, then graduated high school after two years at Miami Military Academy in Miami, FL. After a few years in college, Chuck joined the Army. He served in Vietnam from 1968-1969 as a Ranger with the 101st Airborne. He was wounded in action on July 18, 1969 and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Men's Badge. After recovery at Walter Reed Hospital, he returned home.

Chuck received a degree in nursing from Georgia State University, followed by a degree in business from Mars Hill University. He worked at Sam Jones Realty in Andrews until retirement.

Chuck was a member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry.

He showed his compassion for his community through on-going involvement with the District Memorial Hospital Board, the Smokey Mountain Shrine Club of the Oasis Shrine Temple, the VFW, Gideons, Matt's Ministry Food Pantry, Outward Bound board, Red Cross blood drives and as a Boyscout leader.

He was a warm, loving and giving husband, son, brother and uncle. One of Chuck's joys was gathering every Fourth of July with his Vietnam brothers with whom he maintained lifelong friendships. He loved the Atlanta Braves, movies, music and sharing great food with family and friends.

Surviving is his wife, Rebecca Ledford Van Gorder; sisters, Suzanne Van Gorder, of Andrews, and Catherine Odom and husband, Doug of Brevard, N.C.; and two nephews, Chris and Matt Kip, both of Columbia, S.C.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Hayesville with Father Bill Breedlove officiating.

Military graveside rites will be conducted at 2 p.m. at Valleytown Cemetery on Saturday, Nov. 12 by the American Legion Post #96, Murphy, American Legion Post 532 Hayesville, VFW Post 6812, Hayesville, and the Marine Corp League, Marble.

In lieu of flowers, please send monetary donations in memory of Charles Van Gorder to Oasis Temple Shriners Hospital for Children, 604 Doug Mayes Place, Charlotte, NC 28262 or to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home, Hayesville: www.townson-rose.com is in charge of arrangements.