Charles Ernest Warner M.D.

Charlotte - Dr. Charles Ernest Warner, age 80, beloved husband, father, and pediatrician, succumbed to Parkinson’s disease on Thursday, February 20, 2014, after a valiant and lengthy battle. Born September 17, 1933 in Daytona Beach, Florida, he was the only son of Genevieve (nee Howley) and Charles H. Warner. He was predeceased by his parents, his sisters, Nancy Warner Eardley and Mary Lucille Warner Deem, and his devoted first wife, Julia Hart Warner, mother of his five children.

He is survived by his loving second wife, Sandra B. Warner and her daughter, Emily M. Pichette, his other children and their spouses: Charles H. Warner (Kelly) of Roanoke, Virginia; Deryl H. Warner (Frieda) of Brunswick, Georgia; Mary Louise Warner Gennett (Stephen) of Charlotte, North Carolina; Harrison F. Warner (Noelle) of Nashville, Tennessee; and John W. Warner (Courtney) of Winchester, Virginia. Also surviving him are his ten grandchildren: Hart, Eliza, and Jackson Warner; Paul, Julia, and William Gennett; Julia and Anna Warner; and Carrie and Pete Warner.

Chuck grew up in Daytona Beach, Florida, where at a young age he met lifelong friend and fellow humorist William C. (Bill) Lee. They shared numerous adventures during a 70-plus year friendship, from Boy Scouts through medical training at Duke and beyond.

Chuck completed his undergraduate work at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, and graduated with honors in 1954. He then attended Duke University School of Medicine, graduating in 1958. He and Julia married that year at the home of her parents, Mary Elizabeth and J. Deryl Hart. Chuck served as an intern on the Pediatrics Service at Duke, then spent two years in the Army Medical Corps at Camp A. P. Hill in Bowling Green, Virginia, attaining the rank of Captain. He returned to Duke, completing his pediatric residency and joining the Charlotte Pediatric Clinic in 1963. There, he had a celebrated career of 42 years, caring for over three generations of children. Beloved in the community, he was the sort of family physician who continued to inspire and advise long after he retired. Even in retirement, he rarely left the house without being recognized by former patients or their family members.

During his long career, Chuck served as Chief of Pediatrics at Presbyterian Hospital (Charlotte, N.C.), and subsequently as Chief of the Medical Staff. With his partner, Blair Bryan, he was a physician for the Howell Center, caring for physically and mentally challenged children for 20 years. He also served on the board of the Florence Crittenton Home. He was a longtime member and a deacon and elder of the Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, where he helped found the child development center. He also served as his medical school class agent for 50 years.

Chuck was a member of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society, the North Carolina Pediatric Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the Goodfellows Club of Charlotte. He was also a longtime member of the Security Investment Club of Charlotte.

An exemplary husband and father, Chuck raised five children with his devoted wife Julia. Theirs was always a home filled with laughter and love, the place where the neighborhood children gathered. Chuck stated that he lost a part of himself when his beloved Julie went to be with the Lord in 2001.

At age 70, Chuck again found love, proposing to Sandra B. Pichette on Valentine’s Day. He said that Sandy, with her outgoing nature, helped him regain his joie de vivre, and they were married in 2003. Chuck was fortunate to gain a second daughter, Emily M. Pichette.

Chuck had an infectious sense of humor and balanced work with hobbies, including building award-winning kites, restoring old cars, boating and fishing. It was a sad day indeed when he sold his last boat, a 27 foot Grady White. At the family’s Sharon Road home, he loosely supervised the launching of many homemade rockets. He was an accomplished handyman who could fix anything, a trait he passed on to his children. He was a survivor of prostate cancer, and he faced Parkinson’s with characteristic determination and wit, which he maintained until the end. In his later years, he benefitted immensely from the love and care provided by his devoted Sandy, a former nurse.

Chuck loved classical music and was a supporter of the arts in Charlotte. He was an avid fan of Duke Basketball. In recent years, he found joy in simple things, particularly the companionship of his beloved Oscar, a Maltese. Oscar, who dutifully protected him, could usually be found curled in Chuck’s lap, or in his bed, and woe be it to those who got too close to his “Daddy.”

The family will receive visitors at the Harry and Bryant Funeral Home, 500 Providence Road, in Charlotte, on Friday, February 28th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, 2929 Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte, on Saturday, March 1st, at 1:00 p.m. Additional parking will be available at Mouzon Methodist Church. A private burial ceremony will follow at Forest Lawn West Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers will be W. Blair Bryan, M.D., William F. Bryant, M.D., John W. Foust, M.D., William C. Lee, O.D., Mark J. Casto, and William J. Hart.

The family would like to recognize all of the wonderful caregivers of Compassionate Care of Charlotte, and to express its deep gratitude for the expert and loving care they provided Chuck. We are also forever indebted to Chuck’s long-time friend and partner, W. Blair Bryan, for his grace, guidance, and support during Chuck’s final days.

Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Association of the Carolinas, 5970 Fairview Road, Suite 217, Charlotte, N.C. 28210; the Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, 2929 Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte, N.C. 28209; to Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, 1420 East 7th Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28204; or the charity of the donor’s choice.