Charles David Averette, 85, of Raeford, passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2023, in his home surrounded by his family.
Charles was born in Cumberland County on November 7, 1937, son to the late Charles Vance Averette and Louise McArthur Averette. At the age of 3, his family moved to Elizabethtown, where he was raised. He graduated from Elizabethtown High School in 1956 and went on to attend NC State College in May of 1960 where he earned a BS in civil engineering. At the same time, he received his second lieutenant bars from ROTC. On July 23, 1960, he married “the love of his life,” Mickey Brock, in the Raeford Presbyterian Church. Shortly after, on September 21, 1960, he and his new bride went to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers until September 22, 1962. On October 1, 1962, he went to work for the city of Fayetteville as an assistant engineer. In 1966, he was employed by the Fayetteville Works Commission as an engineer. On January 31, 1969, he became a registered professional engineer with the Board of Examiners for Engineers and his land surveyor examiners approval on October 10, 1975.
In June 1970, he started his own business as Charles D. Averette, Engineer. In March, 1973, the business became Averette and King Engineering P.A. after the partnership with Larry King. In June 1980, Larry left to form his own business, Larry King and Associates, and he has been very successful. The business then became Averette Engineering Co., P.A. Larry and David continued to help each other on projects when needed. They were great friends as well as businessmen.
In March 1973, David became a member of Professional Engineers of North Carolina and was involved in a lot of activities to promote this organization. His first elected office was treasurer, then secretary, went on to become vice president and, lastly, president. In 1985, he received the Distinguished Service Award; another honor was to be in the first group of members chosen to be fellows.
David helped organize the local chapter in Fayetteville PENC South Central Chapter. He held a lot of offices in this chapter. He was involved in “Math Counts” which was a competition for area math students in grades seven, eight and nine, where winners would receive a scholarship. In 1988, he received the award for Engineer of the Year.
David attended the first meeting in the fall of 1999 of the Westover High School Academy of Engineering Technologies Advisory Board. He was on the board for 17 years and received awards for mentoring students during this time.
He was also an active member with the N.C. Society of Surveyors and the Cape Fear Society of Surveyors. From 1995-2000, David was chair of the engineering and surveying technology classes at FTCC and taught classes during this time. For several years before having this opportunity, he taught classes for Dr. King, who was the chair, when he needed a teacher. On December 12, 2017, he was honored with Charles D. Averette Geomatics Scholarship at FTCC.
David loved sports. In high school he played football, basketball, and baseball and was a good player in all of them. As an adult, he played softball and basketball in church leagues. At 55 years of age, he started playing basketball in the Senior Games. At age 82, he couldn’t find anyone his age to make a team and he finally had to quit.
He was an avid N.C. State Wolfpack fan and attended their football games for many seasons. He and his wife attended many ball games over the years. When games became available on TV, he watched every game they showed on TV--- football, basketball, baseball, etc.
He has served as a deacon at Gethsemane Baptist Church, Eutaw Heights Baptist Church and Synder Memorial Baptist Church, Cumberland County Planning Board, Cumberland County Board of Health, Fayetteville Operation Inasmuch, and Fayetteville Area Habitat for humanity.
He is survived by his beloved wife for 63 years, Mary ‟Mickey” Averette; sons, Michael David Averette (Mitzi) of Raeford and Steven David Averette (Tracy) of Raeford; a daughter, Maria Averette Purvis (Tim) of Raeford; grandchildren, Mitchell Averette (Brianna), Chelsea Elizabeth Averette, Carly Diane Averette, Brock Goetz Averette; stepgrandchildren, Tiffany Vega, Carl Vega, Angel Vega, Stephanie Allen, Haleigh Allen Grody (Sean), Jeffrey Allen (Lucy), and Austin Brisson; and 16 step-great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.
Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, August 25, 2023, at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, 701 Westmont Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28305.
A Celebration of Life will follow the visitation at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Sandy Saunders officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be given to the Averette and Strother Scholarship at Fayetteville Technical Community College. The direct link to donate is https://www.faytechcc.edu/giving/give-now/ - (In the drop down menu next to Designation, select the Averette and Strother Scholarship) or donations can be mailed to 2201 Hull Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303, International Operation Inasmuch Inc., PO Box 2523, Knoxville TN 37901, Fayetteville Operation Inasmuch, 531 Hillsboro Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301, Synder Memorial Baptist Church Audio/Video Systems, 701 Westmont Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28305.
