Charles Otis Sandage

Obituary for Charles O. Sandage

(10-27-1935  --  11-16-2022)

Charles O. (Chuck) Sandage, age 87, passed away on November 16, 2022, at UNC Chapel Hill hospital.  Chuck was born in Stuttgart, Arkansas, on October 27, 1935, to Otis and Elizabeth Sandage.  Chuck graduated in 1958 from the University of Arkansas with his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He went to work for DuPont in Parkersburg, WV, where he met his wife Mary Ellen (Williams) who was the love of his life for 63 years.  He also loved her family including her parents, Raymond, and Virginia Williams, who treated him like their own.  He worked his entire career with DuPont in Parkersburg, Wilmington, NC and Wilmington, DE, where he retired early in 1985. 

After he retired, Chuck and Mary Ellen moved to Oak Island, NC, and were active members of Trinity United Methodist Church in Southport.  They liked to travel and were able to visit many places over the years including Europe and Hawaii.  They enjoyed living oceanfront and seeing the beautiful sunsets almost every evening from their deck. They also spent summers for over 20 years in the Banner Elk area where Chuck enjoyed going to many outdoor music shows.  Many wonderful memories were made with his whole family at the beach and mountain homes where they welcomed anyone who wanted to visit. Chuck was a wonderful and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather – he will be missed by his entire family.

He was predeceased by his parents, and his brother Howard of Middleton, TN.  He is survived by his wife (Mary Ellen); two daughters: Lisa Turner (Steve) of Chapel Hill, NC, and Laura Reeves (Dave) of Pittsboro, NC; four granddaughters: Emily Reeves (Aaron Dale), Hannah Larrew (Tom), Abby Dyer (Nathan), and Ellen Turner; one great-granddaughter: Gwenyth Ann Larrew; and his sister: Mary Lou Wallace of N. Little Rock, Arkansas. 

The family plans to have a memorial service at a later date and requests that in lieu of flowers, any donations be directed to his favorite charities: the Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity.

Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfunerals.com

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Sandage family.