C.Y. "Chuck" Morehead

When we moved here to Albemarle, one of the first families we met was the Morehead family. They lived right behind us and the family consisted of Chuck(father) Jahala(mother) and the children, Chuckie, Melanie and Dale. We, as kids, did a lot together growing up. There were several kids in the neighborhood, and for some reason, our house and sometimes the Morehead house was the gathering place for the kids to play. We didn't sit inside watching TV..we were out playing something almost everyday. It was Basketball, Volleyball, Softball, Football, army...something almost everyday.In the wintertime we had more snow that we get nowadays, and we would go sledding and so forth, and when we came in for the snow, Mom had hot chocolate and a warm fire in the basement for all the kids in the neighborhood who showed up. No one was turned away.

Anyway, about Chuck Morehead. Chuck was like a second father to me. When I was 10 and a half I joined the Boy Scouts, and Chuck was my scoutmaster at Troop 82. I learned a lot in the scouts and I became an Eagle Scout before I finished when I turned 18. Chuck taught probably half the boys in Albemarle how to be a man through scouting How to respect your elders, and how to cook, keep warm while in the woods, to stay dry....in other words how to survive. He also taught lessons from the Bible. He was a Christian man from the word go. One of the finest men I knew. My father traveled a lot and I could always talk to Chuck when my father wasn't around and I needed fatherly advice. At times,HE talked to me because he thought I need to change my attitude. I didn't always agree at the time..but looking back..it was some of the best advice I ever got from anyone. Chuck was very instrumental in building of the new Boy Scout Camp in 1966.

I worked for Chuck in the City Recreation Department. We got along great. I overheard him talking about me one day....he didn't know I heard him I am sure..but he said.."Now Greg....if you tell him what to do and leave him alone..it will get done..if you keep checking up on him....it will take forever. Greg likes to work on his own and not be told how to do it..just give him a job and let him take care of it himself".

Chuck taught me about life, about nature, about enjoying what GOD had built for us to see. Not to destroy what GOD had built but to enjoy it and use it and leave it better that when you found it. In other words...don't leave any trash behind...clean up before you leave and go the extra step..clean up what others left behind....cleaner than when you found it!

A lot of times, when I worked for Chuck, he would come and pick me up at work and say "come with me for a minute" and we would go up to the new park and take a walk in the woods and talk about things..things that were bothering him or things that were bothering me..whatever. No subject was taboo.....anything and everything was discussed in some form or fashion.

Chuck was a second father, a friend, a confidant, he never knew a stranger...and he was one of the most influential men in my life..Someone I will never forget. He was the kind of man that this world needs now. He changed the lives of several people through scouting and his work as hear of the recreation department. I have seen the changes to the department since he left....It is not the same...I am hoping the new director that took over last year will bring back what Chuck started....we sure need it. Love you Chuck and miss you!!! Just My Thoughts