Charles Dewey Barham Jr.

Charles Dewey Barham, Jr. died peacefully on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, with his wife of 65 years, Margaret (Peggy) Crow Barham by his side. Charles was born July 7, 1930, in Goldsboro, NC to Helen Douglass Barham Hughes and Charles Dewey Barham, both deceased. He is survived by his beloved wife Peggy, daughter, Margaret Douglass Barham and grandson, David Carlos Barham of Raleigh; son, Charles Dewey Barham III and his wife, Ann Hiott Barham, of Winston-Salem; sister, Harriette Ann Barham Best of Wilmington; and numerous beloved sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Charles, known to many as “Red,” excelled in both academics and athletics (baseball, basketball) at Ravenscroft School, Broughton High School (1948), and Wake Forest College (B.A. 1952, J.D. 1954). Following school, he enlisted in the Navy, serving three years active duty in the Office of Naval Intelligence at the Pentagon, and an additional 22 years in the Naval Reserve, retiring with the rank of Captain. Upon his release from active duty, Charles returned to Raleigh in 1958 to work on staff with the NC Attorney General before joining Carolina Power & Light Company in 1966 as an Associate General Counsel.

In 1974, he entered private practice with his uncle and dear friend, the late Clyde A. Douglass, II, during which time he was also General Counsel for Meredith College, General Counsel for the World Nuclear Fuel Market, and a member of the Board of Directors of Nuclear Mutual Limited and its successor companies (1973– 1995). Charles returned to Carolina Power & Light Company in 1981 to manage its Legal Department and serve successively as General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer and member of the Board of Directors before retiring in 1995 as Executive Vice President. Charles loved his work, but most of all, he loved the people with whom he was privileged to work every day.

Charles grew up going to the Raleigh YMCA where he developed a deep affection for the organization, participating in youth programs and serving as a camp counselor at Camp Sea Gull in Arapahoe, NC. During his professional life he served on the Board of the Raleigh YMCA and its successor Associations for fifty years, ten years of which were as Chairman of the Board. The friendships made both within and through his association with the YMCA and its Camps were a treasure to him and a source of great joy throughout his life. In addition to the YMCA, significant other non-professional associations included service as a Trustee of Meredith College, a member of the Board of Visitors of the Wake Forest University School of Law, and as an officer of the Raleigh Jaycees and Raleigh Civitan Club.

Charles’ life of service flowed from a deep faith in Jesus Christ. Charles joined First Baptist Church as a youth, and he and Peggy centered their life of worship and Christian discipleship there. He served many years as a Deacon as well as a Sunday School teacher for the Young Men's Fellowship class. The life-long friendships, forged by fellowship and a strong, mutual commitment to God and neighbor, were a source of love, support, challenge, and growth that Charles chose to let shape his life and guide his steps.

While he was a man who gave of himself generously to his church, his colleagues, and to his community, no one benefited more from Charles’ intentional love and support than his wife and family. His devotion to Peggy and their loving bond was special, enduring, and evident to all. Titus 2 speaks of one who “in everything set them an example by doing what is good,” and in his words “show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned.” We, his family, are richly blessed that he set such an example for us and are forever grateful for his life, love, wisdom, gentle guidance, quick wit, sense of fun, and generosity.

The family wishes to express their utmost gratitude and admiration for the caregivers who have so lovingly supported Charles and Peggy over the past several years and for the Hospice staff whose compassion and skill were of great comfort in his final days.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the First Baptist Church, 99 N. Salisbury Street. The family will receive relatives and friends in the church Fellowship Hall following the service. Burial will be private at Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, gifts to honor the memory of Charles may be made to: First Baptist Church - Capital Repair and Replacement Fund, 99 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603 or to The YMCA of the Triangle, 801 Corporate Center Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh is serving the Barham family.