Charles D Bray IV

Chuck— also known as Bray, depending on when you met him or how you knew him— was born with a strong spirit of life, love, and generosity.

In his early years, Chuck’s curiosity and resourcefulness were matched only by his determination and will. He was always surrounded by great friends and fun— many times to the chagrin of his parents, but he was always the life of the party.

After graduating from Dutch Fork High School, Chuck joined the Air Force and served until 2001, when he was Honorably Discharged. He then attended Coastal Carolina University, where he served as the unofficial “Mayor of Aynor.” As his friends tell the story: Myrtle Beach will never be the same.

Chuck knew that it was perhaps time to buckle down and start his journey into adulthood, so after his stint on the coast, Chuck returned to Columbia and decided that the insurance business was where he wanted to set his sights. In 2006, Bray Insurance Group was born. Bray’s company thrived under his courage and careful watch and is still in business today.

Once Bray Insurance Group’s success began, Bray realized that it was time to really begin exploring his many interests: woodworking, RC cars, knives, motorcycles, guns, forging, Fushigi, unicycling, more knives, BMX biking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting and many more. He excelled at all of them. He was truly a man who could do anything.

Whitewater kayaking, though, was the sport…the passion he loved the most—and the one that he studied, practiced, honed, and ultimately became exceptionally good at.

Through the years, he served as a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, taught kayaking at the University of South Carolina and found great joy as a mentor to many.

He was also a veteran instructor for Team River Runner, a national nonprofit organization providing free paddle sports programs for veterans and their families.His service to others reflected both his bravery and his enduring desire to lift others up.

The year 2013 brought Bray his greatest gift, friend, and partner: his wife, Cam. Bray and Cam lived a beautiful life together, filled with friends, family, lots of kayaking, and trips to the Nantahala, Chattahoochee, and the New Rivers, among many others.

They loved each other over the years with a loyalty and ferocity that is rare in this world. They stood beside each other, always.

In 2016, Bray decided that he was going to stop drinking—and did. He never drank again. He often cited this as one of his greatest accomplishments and a source of incredible internal pride.

He loved his family very much and counted himself blessed to have so many friends in his life.

Chuck was born on September 1, 1974, and passed away on August 19, 2026.

He is survived by his wife, Cameron Bray; his father, Charlie Bray; his mother, Susan Bray; his brother, Preston Bray; his nephew, Hampton Bray; his mother-in-law, Ruthie Rish; and his brother-in-law, Michael Weaver; his uncles, Ed and Robert Bray; his cousins, Claude Bray, Charlotte Kirkman, Eddie Bray, and William Bray; and his motley crew, Otis, Marley, Willie Nelson, Boo & Toby.

The family would like to thank the staff of SCOA, especially Chaudhry Mushtaq and Kitra Nichols, as well as his infusion nurse, Tammy Cooper.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 29, at 3:30 PM at 302 Senate Street in downtown Columbia, SC.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

Canoeing for Kids

https://www.canoeingforkids.org/funding

Team River Runner

https://www.teamriverrunner.org/chapters/south-carolina-columbia/

American Whitewater

https://americanwhitewater.donorsupport.co/page/AWDON