Charles Thomas Robbins, Jr.

Charles (Charlie) Thomas Robbins, Jr., age 89, of Asheboro died Sunday, October 20, 2013 at Carillon Assisted Living Of Asheboro surrounded by family and supported by the Carillon staff. Mr. Robbins was born October 27, 1923 the son of Charles Thomas Robbins and Florence Mae Jones Robbins. Mr. Robbins was a native of Asheboro and graduate of Asheboro High School. He attended Elon College before being drafted into the US Air Force, serving in WWII. He was a member of West Bend United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School for more than 35 years. Charlie, better known as "Mr. Baseball", retired from Acme-McCrary Hosiery after 46 years of service and spent 13 years playing on the renowned McCrary Eagles baseball team. He was also a distinguished baseball player for Asheboro High School, Elon College and the local American Legion teams as well as WWII Air Force teams, playing with and against many baseball greats. Post WWII, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals baseball organization, but soon returned to his beloved North Carolina to play and coach baseball locally. Never retiring from baseball, Charles is still the athletic officer for the American Legion Post 45 and has been a radio commentator for the American Legion games. He was inducted into the North Carolina's American League Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Asheboro High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. Mr. Robbins served on Asheboro City Council for 6 years, has been on the city's redevelopment commission for 20 years and on the Caspian Homes Board for many years. He was a member of Kiwanis and selected as Kiwanian of the Year in 2004. He also received numerous other sports awards as well as the Humanitarian Award from the Regional Consolidated Services for his volunteer work in the community, including delivery of Meals on Wheels, installing Randolph County Hospital Lifelines and his support for the local sports programs. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife: Edna Rumbaugh Robbins, siblings: Frances Hinshaw, Virginia Culler, Robert Robbins, Dempsey Robbins and Elizabeth Robbins. He is survived by his children: Charles "C. Thomas" Robbins, III and wife, Shirley of Cartersville, GA, Jan Robbins Cox and husband, Donald of Lynnfield, MA, Dale Robbins and wife, Tracie of Dacula, GA; 6 grandchildren: Kelley Duncan, Kristi Robbins, Kent Robbins, Bret Robbins, Chloe Robbins and Jeffrey Cox; 5 step grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is also survived by many dear and supportive friends, particularly Ron Bennett, David Camp and Ronnie Pugh, and their families. The family will receive friends Tuesday, October 22, 2013 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC and at other times at the family home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 2:00 PM at West Bend United Methodist Church, 1080 Albemarle Road, Asheboro with Rev. Drew McIntyre officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the Randolph County Honor Guard. Memorials made to Meals on Wheels, Randolph County Senior Adults Association, 133 West Wainman Ave., Asheboro, NC 27203 or Randolph Arts Guild, 123 Sunset Ave., Asheboro, NC 27203 or West Bend United Methodist Church, 1080 Albemarle Road, Asheboro, NC 27203. Pugh Funeral Home, Asheboro is assisting the Robbins family. Please share your remembrance and condolences with the family at: www.pughfuneralhome.com.