Fred Pearson Tatham Jr.

Fred Pearson Tatham, Jr., 76, passed away on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at Presbyterian Hospital in Matthews, NC. A native of Gastonia, he was the son of Nova Anderson Murray and Fred Pearson Tatham, Sr.

Mr. Tatham graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and served in U.S. army, spending his active duty in Korea in the demilitarized zone as a medic at the end of the Korean War. He started his career with Parke-Davis pharmaceuticals, and then transitioned to sales in the commercial property and casualty insurance industry, working for various companies, including Allstate. Mr. Tatham was a member of the American Legion.

Mr. Tatham was a man who was very generous of spirit and was known for his wit and sense of humor, and practical jokes. For a man of his generation, he was an incredible cook and caretaker thanks to the influence of his well-loved grandmother and great-grandmother who ran a boarding house. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, and was at his best in a crisis – he would be the first one to bake you one of his famous chicken pies or fried chicken if you had a loss in your family, were sick, or just needed a friend.

In his later years he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, teaching his granddaughter Madison the art of bonsai, carting granddaughter Michelle home from school everyday and bringing her Krispy Kreme doughnuts for the trip, and teaching his grandson Jeffrey about guns and covertly teaching him to drive before his 16th birthday (much to his parents’ dismay).

Mr. Tatham is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Sara of Mint Hill; daughter Donna Tatham Council and her husband Carl Council; three grandchildren – Jeffrey Council, Madison Council, and Michelle Council, all of Davidson, NC; sister Nancy Breeyear and her husband Peter Breeyear of Charlotte, brother Charles Tatham of Gastonia, loving sister-in-law Eleanor Kennedy of Raleigh, three nieces, two nephews, numerous cousins, and his beloved West Highland terrier, Bailey.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Joyce Hutchinson, infant son Michael Neal, and infant daughter Alicia Marie.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at Matthews United Methodist Church on Wednesday, October 17 at 2 p.m., with visitation immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Humane Society of Charlotte, 2700 Toomey Avenue, Charlotte NC 28203, or to Matthews United Methodist Church, 801 S. Trade Street, Matthews, NC 28105.