Earle Howard Whitton

Earle Howard Whitton passed away quietly at home in Awendaw, SC October 26, 2023 surrounded by his wife, Mary Jo McConnell Whitton, and their faithful dogs. He faced life with courage and determination and was loved by his family and friends because of his selflessness and self reliance.

Earle was born March 19, 1944 in Pensacola, Florida to Naomi Jo Howard Whitton and Edward Lawson Whitton. He attended Eastover Elementary School, Myers Park High School, Belmont Abby College, Carolina Military Academy and East Carolina University. He was a Navy veteran and served on the USS Francis Marion.

His lifelong dream was to own his own company as his grandfather, his namesake, did. In 1983, he and his wife established Charlotte Star Service, Inc in Charlotte, NC and his dream was fulfilled. It is still in operation.

Earle's favorite pastimes were building, fishing, oyster roasting and cooking. He built a large log cabin, barns, many garages and workshops, and wooden boats. He belonged to the Blues Brothers fishing group made up of mostly childhood friends who meant the world to him. His love of fishing included the Outer Banks and fly fishing for tarpon in the Florida Keys and the Abaco Islands. Upon retiring near the Inland Waterway, he loved crabbing for dinner. He taught many family members how to fish.

His homemade BBQ sauce was a favorite Christmas present to his Charlotte Star Service customers.

Earle's passion was his family and helping others before himself. He was well known for that in Charlotte. He helped many by passing on skills that helped make them more independent and self confident. He also taught them the benefit and value of working hard at whatever their endeavors may be.

Earle is survived by his devoted wife, Mary Jo McConnell Whitton; his sister, Jane Whitton Nole (Frank) of Auburn City, California; his children, Courtney Hall McDuffie Dailey (Brett) of Gainsville, Florida, J. Daniel Fairley (Karen) of Charlotte, NC and Matthew McConnell Fairley of Awendaw, SC; his six loving grandchildren, Harris Fairley, Jack Fairley, Smith Fairley, Erin Dailey, Caitlin Dailey, Kyle Lovett; three very dear nephews, Lawson Whitton, Whit MacDonald, and Trae MacDonald. He was predeceased by his brother, Edward Lawson Whitton, and his daughter, Jo Shannon McDuffie.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to those who made it possible for Earle to live his final year of life at home in happy and familiar surroundings; Jamie McConnell, Whit MacDonald, and his Hospice nurse, Jennifer Parnell, RN.

The family requests any memorial donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, (JDRF) at www2.jdrf.org.

A private, family memorial service will be held at a future date. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mt. Pleasant Chapel.