Charles William Middleton, 79, of Johnson City, was born in Savannah, Georgia (Chatham County) on July 12, 1936, to the late Charles “Peak” and Nealie Anna Baggs Middleton.
He was a graduate of Savannah High School, Savannah, Ga., and attended the University of Georgia. He was active in the United States Air Force National Guard while living in Savannah. He was a Mason and a member of the Roger Lacey Masonic Lodge #722, Savannah, Ga., and also a member of the Scottish Rites, Knoxville, Tenn. He was a member of the Carter County Cattlemen’s Association and was voted Cattleman of the Year, 2015. He was an outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing and especially loved Watauga Lake. He established Middleton Angus where he fulfilled his love for livestock.
Charles started his career working with the Seaboard Railroad for several years, before going to work with Union Paper Corporation. Charles and wife Pat became entrepreneurs in the restaurant business in 1968, which brought them to Elizabethton, Tenn., to open their first KFC restaurant. It was here that Charles was coined the nickname “Chicken Charlie.” Later expanding to include Pizza Inn and El Chico franchised restaurants. Where he and Pat continued a successful 47-year career in KFC. Over the years he served on many advisory committees with KFC and Pizza Inn which included, President of KFC NFAC, President of KFC Southeastern Association, President of the Knoxville Advertising Co-op, and the Bluefield and Beckley, West Virginia Advertising Co-ops.
Over the years, he supported and served many meals to the Rescue, Fire Department and emergency personnel in crisis situations. He supported local sports groups and was especially fond of helping children and loved to feed local children’s organizations. He was an annual contributor to the Shriner’s Hospital.
He was a member of the Central Community Christian Church, 137 Hopson Road, Johnson City, Tenn.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pat Stubbs Middleton, formerly of Sylvannia, Ga.; along with his three daughters, Anne Middleton Estep and husband Mark Estep, Charlene Middleton Ray and husband Keith Ray, and Crystal Middleton Slagle and husband Pete Slagle Jr.; and his grandchildren, Clayton Ray, Alexandra Middleton, Cassidee Ray, Owen Slagle, Rhett Slagle and Zac Estep; a special cousin, Maureen Middleton Thomas and husband Jim Thomas; special friends, Lt. Col. William S. “Bill” and Hyona Thomas, Nancy Byrd and family, and Shenny Teague; many special nieces, nephews, extended family and friends, Richard Salvatore, Christy Gobble, Diane Timbs, along with the entire Middleton Management KFC Tennessee and West Virginia extended family.
A service to honor the life of Charles William Middleton will be held Monday, April 3, at the Central Community Christian Church, 137 Hopson Drive, Johnson City, Tenn., with Mr. Todd Wolfe, minister, officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m., prior to the service. Honorary pallbearers will be Lt. Col. Bill Thomas, Judge E.G. Moody, Dr. R.L. Stewart, Dr. Larry Proffitt, John Holtsclaw, Garett Aldridge, Sam LaPorte, Bill Green, Doug Stubbs, Jim Thomas, Jim Thomas Jr., Tony Pate, Bill Peters, Doug Cox, Larry Lanier, Keith Ray, Pete Slagle Jr., Pete Slagle Sr., Mark Estep, Clayton Ray, Owen Slagle, Rhett Slagle, Jon Byrd Jr., Jimmy Rivers, Gary Rader, Charlie Mullins, Eddie Sheldrake, Tom White, Johnny Mills, Mark Middleton, Keith Middleton, Wilton Stubbs, Robert Stubbs, Richard Stubbs and the KFC Franchise Family. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Charles’s caregivers, Dr. Mark Williams, Physical Therapy Services-Danny and Justin Smith and staff, Hermitage caretakers, nurses and staff, and Caris Hospice nurses and caregivers: Carla Bailey, Debbie Simmons, Jeannette Love, Rhonda Buchannan, Ron Arp, Keith Herman and Jerri Surber. The Middleton family would like to express their sincere appreciation for all the acts of kindness shown to them during their time of bereavement. Your love, prayers, visits and memorial tributes are greatly appreciated. May God bless each of you in a very special way. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Central Community Christian Church Building Fund or the Diabetes Association. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Middleton family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.