Eric Gay Lovette

Eric Gay Lovette, 72, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away Monday, November 16, 2015, at Novant Presbyterian Hospital, comforted by his wife, due to complications from diabetes. He was born in Reidsville, North Carolina on December 5, 1942, the second child of Nelle Roberts and Gaither Franklin Lovette.

Eric grew up in Landis, North Carolina down the street from his grandparents and cousins. He graduated from Landis High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State University. Eric was married to Suzanne Bopp Lovette on October 3, 1970, in Miami Springs, Florida. Eric was preceded in death by his parents.

Eric is survived by Suzanne, wife of 45 years; children, Lance (Amelia) Lovette, Shawn Lovette and Kelly Lovette Cox; grandchildren, Maddison Cox, Caleb Cox, Peyton Cox, Lura Lovette, Timothy Lovette and Colby Lovette; brother, Gary Lovette; and sister, Rebecca Whitworth.

Eric served in the National Guard as a young man. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #742 in Mint Hill, North Carolina. Eric enjoyed a successful career as a professional civil engineer, first traveling the country with his young family doing construction for Brown and Root; later designing pressure vessels with Fabricated Products; managing overseas projects with Midrex; and ultimately directing construction of a large scale petrochemical plant with Polysindo in Jakarta, Indonesia.

A memorial service to celebrate Eric’s life will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 21, at McEwen Funeral Service, Mint Hill Chapel in Mint Hill. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Greater Western Carolinas Chapter, 205 Regency Executive Park Drive, Suite 102, Charlotte, North Carolina 28217; online at jdrf.org.

Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service, Mint Hill Chapel, Mint Hill, North Carolina.