Robert Eugene Lail

Robert Eugene Lail, 81, of Charlotte died Monday Nov. 15, 2010 at Presbyterian Hospital in the Harris Hospice Center. He was born July 8, 1929 in Hickory, NC and was one of five sons born to the late Pearl Buff Lail and Vester Lail. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by three brothers, Charles Sylvester Jr. (killed in WWII), Thomas Lamar and Joseph Michael and his first wife, Monique Marcella Braquet.

After graduation from Hickory High School in 1947, Bob joined the US Air Force. As his enlistment was ending, he was extended twice because of the Korean War and decided to become career Air Force.

While in the service, Bob served in eight states, England, Africa, Canada, France and Belgium. Much of his time was spent doing Radar Bomb Scoring and in administrative work where he held the rank of First Sergeant at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He retired from the Air Force in 1972 while serving with the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers of Europe in Belgium.

On January 11, 2000, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Mildred (Mickey) Phillips Worrell and moved to Charlotte from Tucson AZ where he had lived for twenty five years. In addition to his wife, Mickey, he is survived by an older brother, Jack Worth Lail and wife Jackie Bernhardt Lail of Concord, NC; an elderly aunt, Nell Buff Ladone and cousin, Jim Burns of Hickory along with several nieces, nephews and other cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial s may be made to Presbyterian Hospital and Palliative Care, 324 McDowell St., PO Box 33549 Charlotte, NC 28233 or to Calvary Church, 5801 Pineville Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226.

A memorial service will be held in the main sanctuary of Calvary Church on Thursday, November 18 at 2:00 pm. The family will receive friends at 1:00 pm.

Interment of ashes will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Hickory, NC in the Lail family plot at a later date.

Online memorials may be left at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com

Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel, Charlotte, NC.