Charles Otis Loftis, affectionately known as “Charlie Buck,” passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Beacon Place in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was 76. His life was a testament to resilience, devotion to family, and finding joy in the simple blessings of each day.

Born on May 24, 1949, in Rockingham County to Charles Lindsey Loftis and Nancy Vernon Loftis, Charles entered the world as a fighter. Premature and weighing just two pounds, he became the first infant in Rockingham County to be placed in an incubator for life support. Though he lived with a hearing disability throughout his life, Charles never allowed it to define or limit him. Instead, he met every challenge with determination and quiet strength.

Charles graduated from Bethany High School in 1969 and began working at the American Tobacco Company that same year. Through an internship program, he trained as an electrician and built a long, successful career rooted in hard work and dedication. In 1971, he married Shirley Shackelford, and together they welcomed two daughters, Ann Esther Loftis and Amy Lin Loftis, who remained the pride of his life.

In 1991, Charles married his beloved wife, Bettye Loftis, with whom he shared many cherished years. Their journey took them from Wentworth to Georgia, and eventually to Topsail Island after retirement—fulfilling Charles’s lifelong dream of living by the beach. An avid hunter, fisherman, and traveler, he embraced life with a deep appreciation for nature and adventure.