Charles (Chuck) Collicutt

On July 1, 2026, Charles Caryl Collicutt, Jr. died peacefully in his home in Chapel Hill at the age of 76. While quiet and calm at the end, the weeks preceding Chuck’s death were filled with frequent visits from numerous friends and family that happily intermingled laughter, quiet reflection, and incredible storytelling.

In death, Chuck joins his parents Charles Caryl Collicutt, Sr. and Elizabeth Stafford Collicutt, and his older sister Catherine Ann Collicutt. He was born in Monroe, WI before moving to Plaster City, CA, and then Kernersville, NC for the remainder of his youth before attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Chapel Hill is where he ultimately lived his amazing life of friendship and family – that is where he met his incredible wife of 48 years, Debbie (who says when she first saw him, he was in a bar drinking a beer, smoking a cigarette, had a blood-tinged bandage wrapped around his hand from breaking up a fight between two dogs, and with his long hair looked like Greg Allman). It was also where he began many of his 50-plus year friendships, and then raised his two sons.

Chuck was an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer, an expert carpenter, and a true and dedicated fan of all UNC athletics, especially basketball. He loved Emerald Isle. He was a great dance partner and could really party hard, right alongside of Debbie. We should all be envious of their social calendar. They had so much fun together. He incorporated his sons Charlie and Andrew into all of the activities he loved, from hunting the dove fields, to fishing anywhere and everywhere, and to the golf course. He also truly loved being in the woods. With varying degrees of success, he wanted to fix and repair things. He was also an enthusiastically willing participant in any of his kids’ hobbies, sports, or activities that came up over the years (and in later years, those of his grandkids).

Of all the special qualities that Chuck had, the best is that he was a true friend who built lasting relationships with so many people that entered his life. He was so unique in that he cast a wide net of friendships, but that wide net of friendships was also very deep. It’s evidenced not only by his many long-time friendships, but also how quickly people just fell in love with him throughout his life, which in turn blossomed into brand-new deep friendships. All the great times in his life were simply the outcomes of deep and varied friendships that were formed just by being himself. As a quality or a character trait, being a friend, the best kind of friend, was just something innately part of his being.

Chuck will be always remembered by his wife Deborah Gantt Collicutt, his sons Charles Caryl Collicutt III (Ashley) and Andrew Max Collicutt (Nancy), his sister Beverly Collicutt Foster (Gary), and his grandchildren Conner Thomas, Pierce Catherine, Max Addison, Molly Eleanor, and Colin Bowen Collicutt, along with his many generation-spanning cousins, sister-in-law, brothers-in-law, and nieces and nephews.

He of course will never be forgotten by the many friends in his life, each with their own deep bonds, great stories, and loving remembrance. They knew him as effortlessly cool, tough, quiet, measured, one-of-a-kind, fun, smart, even, and as the best friend.

Though we are all saddened at the moment, never forget that Chuck had a fun-filled life with a great family, so many friends, some truly wild adventures, infinite parties, and he caught countless fish.

Arrangements are still being planned, but there will be a Celebration of Chuck at some point when the weather cools down, and all will be welcome. If so inclined, any donations made on Chuck’s behalf should be to UNC Hospice or the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.