Charles Garcia

Major (Ret.) Charles Garcia, U.S. Air Force, age 79, passed away peacefully in the company of loving family on August 6, 2026 in Eden, NC.

Charles was born October 9, 1946 in Bronx, NY. In nursing school at Pilgrim State, Charles met the love of his life, Linda Takats. They married in 1966, raising a family he loved dearly.

Charles joined the U.S. Air Force in 1968, later inspiring other family members to follow in his footsteps In addition to serving as flight nurse performing aeromedical evacuation missions in Vietnam, he was stationed in California, Texas, Ohio, Maine, Virginia and Montana. During service, he obtained a Bachelors Degree in Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Charles continued to live a life of service after his military retirement. He was a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, working primarily at Morehead Memorial Hospital in Eden, NC. His colleagues knew him as a gentle and kind man who was respected by everyone.

He began studying martial arts while on active duty in 1974. He was awarded the rank of 3rd Dan Black Belt, and first became an Instructor while stationed in Malmstrom AFB, Montana. Charles continued instructing Tang Soo Do in Eden in 1989. His purpose was to develop students in every aspect of self.

Charles loved to bike, hike, hunt, enjoy good food and travel with family.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Maria and Neftali Garcia; his wife Linda Garcia and his siblings, Connie Laukas and Johnny Garcia.

Charles is survived by his siblings Naomi Cambria (Joe), Nat Garcia (Dory), children Deborah Calvo (Jason), Melinda Garcia, Rebecca Shytle (Doug), and SMSgt (Ret.) Charles A Garcia, USAF (Lydia), grandchildren Alyssa Cain, Aaron Cain (Ashley), Olivia Calvo, Faith Calvo, Katie Brandon, Christian Chambers (Gee), Will Shytle, Colby Shytle, Dylan Shytle, Nick Shytle, Lillian Garcia (Luca), A1C Alexander Garcia, USAF, and Isaac Garcia, great-grandchildren Camden Allen, Connor Gilmartin and Ember Cain, and many loved nieces, nephews, colleagues and students.

Guided by his Christian beliefs, Charles impacted many lives for the good through his compassion, and will not soon be forgotten. “God did not give me a cowardly spirit, but of power, love and self-control,” 2nd Timothy 1:7.

All are invited to a funeral service to be held 2 pm Wednesday August 12th at Fair Funeral Home Chapel with visitation to be held one hour prior to the service from 1-2 pm. Per his wishes, Charles will be laid to rest beside his love, Linda, in Coram, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice or enjoy some ice cream or coconut cream pie in Charles's memory.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com