Charles Edward Mack, III
Obituary
Charles Edward Mack, III (Chuck), 79, beloved husband of Mary Elkin Ott Mack passed away Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Wilmington, NC suffered a double stroke and while in the hospital developed and eventually succumbed to pneumonia. Chuck was a husband, father, grandfather, animal lover and cherished friend to many. Chuck loved to shag dance and he was quite good at it, having been inducted to the Charlotte Area Shag Club Hall of Fame! An incredibly talented artist and graphic designer, he retired from a distinguished career working for renowned Hendrick Motorsports as Creative Designer and Museum Director. Chuck had his artistic flare all over the Hendrick racing landscape. He designed the museum itself and its displays at the Hendrick Motorsports Museum complex in Concord, NC. He was selected to lead the design team as Technical Consultant in the Hollywood production, Days of Thunder (1990) starring Tom Cruise. He designed many elements of the movie including the Mello Yello, fictionally sponsored, No. 51 car and even Cruise’s character, “Cole Trickle’s” signature.
The list is long of legacies left behind by Chuck from his artisan career and love of motor vehicles, designing the Breakaway car display at Daytona Raceway to the Charlotte Hornets’ basketball team’s mascot. He often lent his artistic flare to varied projects for others commissioning him to design and build hotrods, trucks, boats, motorcycles, the engines that made them go and the trailers to haul it all. Not only did his talents flourish in the realm of motor vehicles but also other concepts within marketing, textiles, store and museum displays, people’s dream homes and, of course, tattoos. He never failed to create special holiday and birthday cards for his one and only Mary. You name it, Chuck could not only design it, but construct and completely build it, down to the paint job, out of his garage with his own two hands. His unique style and attention to detail was sought after by many. His name was featured in many magazines such as Circle Track, Street Rodders Magazine, and University City Magazine to name a few. Chuck loved a good time and was always seen with a smile.
He was born in Reading, Pennsylvania to the late Charles Edward Mack, Jr. and Mary Gertrude Golden. In addition to his wife Mary, he is survived by his brother, Clay McNeil, Clemson, SC; two sons, Christopher Evan (Kim) Mack of Charlotte, NC & Charles Edward Mack, IV, of Newport News, VA; Stepchildren: Heather (JD) Conn of Moore, SC, Amy (Chris) Young of Wilmington, NC & Nicholas Ott of Charlotte, NC; Five Grandchildren: Cathy, Julia, Leighann, Charles & Cord; and eight step-grandchildren: Cody, Christopher, Jolene, River, Isabella, Nolan, William & Nora; and 9 great grandchildren.
A very special Thank You to the clinical staff at Novant who provided support to our family and took such great care of Chuck during our stay there.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the below charities, as Chuck was a big animal lover.
OR
Donate to Chuck and Mary’s local no kill shelter in Brunswick County: https://aps.brunswicksheriff.com/donate/
A graveside service to honor Chuck’s life to be held Saturday, August 10, 2024, 10 a.m. at his final resting place, Sharon Memorial Gardens, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte NC 28212
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