Charles Thomas Philpott, Jr.
Charles Thomas Philpott, Jr., 89, died on Thursday, January 28, 2021 after a brief non-COVID related illness. He was born on February 24, 1931 to Charles Thomas Philpott, Sr. and Christine Prillaman Philpott of the Philpott community in Henry County. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Jo Philpott Martin and Adlynn Philpott Wilson. He is survived by a third sister, Peggy Philpott Cross. A graduate of Hargrave Military Academy, he attended Bluefield College and, after serving in the United States Army for two years, graduated from Virginia Tech in 1956. His first job was with Magic City Mortgage Company, but he soon parlayed the knowledge he had gleaned from growing up in his family’s logging and saw-milling business into the position of principal lumber buyer for Stanley Furniture and, later, Bassett Furniture. He was an important part of the Bassett Kiwanis Club by virtue of his unparalleled ability to sell raffle tickets for the club’s annual fundraiser. Using his incredible list of out-of-town contacts, he would year after year sell more tickets than any other member!
“Charles Jr.” was most happy when he was surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Philpott countryside. At the annual Fourth of July gathering of Philpott descendants, he would wear his red, white, and blue flag shirt, decorate his pickup truck from stem to stern, and proudly take his place as one of the patriarchal grand marshals of the annual parade which wound along the single public roadway from one end of the community to the other. He would spend countless hours tending his huge, river-bottom plot of sweet corn, watermelons, and cantaloupes and would proudly share his harvest with his scores of friends and neighbors.
An avid hunter his whole life, he enjoyed displaying his skill on everything from rabbits and squirrels to doves and ducks and, most of all, deer. He prepared for and anticipated the deer drives across the hilly terrain of Philpott months in advance of the actual start of the season. He loved all things Virginia Tech and few were the times when he would be seen without a favorite Virginia Tech cap. Trips to Blacksburg for football games was a time-honored tradition.
His devotion to his family was paramount. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jo Anne Garland Philpott, of the home; as well as three daughters (“Charlie’s Angels”): Patrice Philpott Newnam (Edwin) of Smith Mountain Lake; Dr. Susan Jamison Philpott (Scott Habermehl) of Corrales, New Mexico; and Laura Philpott Mitchell (John) of Broomfield, Colorado.
He leaves eight grandchildren: Kemp Newnam, Courtney Rosenthal, Ann Hauschel, Virginia Mitchell, Charles Habermehl, Thomas Habermehl, Natalie Mitchell and Julia Mitchell; and five great-grandchildren: Gunner Heath, Dakota Heath, Gage Newnam, Amelia Rosenthal and Brynn Rosenthal. Donations to a charity of the donor’s choice are requested in lieu of flowers.
Online condolences may be shared at www.collinsmckeestonefuneralhomebassett.com.
