Thomas Reese Bethune, Jr. passed away Monday, October 14, 2013 at his home in Charlotte. He was 87. Tom was born November 20, 1925 to Inez Blakely and Thomas Reese Bethune in Bethune, S.C. After graduating from Hartsville High School in 1942, he attended The Citadel until volunteering for the Army Air Force in October 1943. After being honorably discharged in 1945, he continued his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated in 1949. A long career in finance and accounting began that same year in Greensboro with the firm of Lindsay, Squires and Everett. In 1953, Tom joined Nationwide Insurance Company as accounting manager in Raleigh, NC. He then moved to Charlotte in 1957 where he served 23 years with Barclay’s American Corporation (and predecessor companies), ultimately becoming Senior Vice President and Treasurer. He retired in 1980, before joining Colonial Acceptance Corporation in Mount Holly, and after “officially” retiring in 1984, was hired as CFO of the Greater Charlotte YMCA, where he served until December of 1992. Tom was faithful to his church, Providence United Methodist, serving for more than 50 years as a member of the choir. He also served on the Staff Parish Relations Committee, the Finance Committee, the Administrative Board, as a Stephen Minister and as chairman of the church’s 50-year celebration in 2004. Tom was a CPA, member of the Charlotte Area CPA Association, the North Carolina CPA Association (Board Member) and the American Institute of CPAs. At the United Way, he was a board member, chairman of the Allocation Board and treasurer of the Speech and Hearing Center Board. At Carmel Country Club, he was a board member, membership chairman and house board member. At Aldersgate, formerly The Methodist Home, he was a board member and member of the finance, planning and investment committees. Tom was a loving son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed trips to the beach, especially when all the family was there. He also enjoyed playing golf with his many friends through the years. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Doris Gantt Bethune; his daughters, Sherry Bethune Andrews (Dan) of Nashville, Laura Bethune Edmundson (Haywood) of Winston-Salem, Sarah Bethune Stichter (Scott) of Tampa and Susan Bethune Bilon (Steve) of Charlotte; and grandchildren, Sarah and Margaret Andrews, Haywood and Thomas Edmundson, Mason and Reese Stichter, and Brittain and Ross Bilon. He is also survived by his brother, William Russell Bethune (Diedre) and their three children and grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 18, at Providence United Methodist Church, Charlotte, N.C. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Providence United Methodist Church or to a charity of your choice . TH Robertson Funeral & Cremation Service is serving the family, condolences to www.throbertson.com. Tags: 1946
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