BY MILES LAYTON

News spread fast in Edenton after St. Paul’s Episcopal Church announced Thursday that Charlie Creighton has died.  

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of long-time St. Paul’s member Charlie Creighton, who died peacefully today.

Please keep Susan, Stephanie, Scott and all of their family in your prayers.

We will continue to update you on arrangements as they are planned. (See below)

For if we live, we live unto the Lord, and if we die, we die unto the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s possession. Romans 14:8 In Christ, St. Paul’s.

As most folks know, Charlie was CEO of Colony Tire – an entrepreneur’s entrepreneur. He was Edenton’s biggest cheerleader and actively involved in all aspects of the community — a man beloved by all.  

“The Town of Edenton and the Town Council are profoundly saddened by the passing of Charlie Creighton,” Mayor Hackney High said. “Charlie was more than a successful businessman—he was a true icon in our community. His legacy extends far beyond his professional accomplishments; it lives on in his generosity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to Edenton.”  

High continued, “Whenever a need arose, Charlie was among the first to respond, often leading the charge to support those around him. His presence, leadership, and deep love for this town touched countless lives and helped shape the spirit of our community. It is difficult to imagine Edenton without Charlie Creighton. He will be deeply missed, and his memory will remain a lasting part of our town’s story.” 

Charlie had served as a member of many boards and organizations, including the Edenton-Chowan Economic Partnership, Edenton Rotary Club, and Governor Pat McCrory appointed him to the NC Economic Development Board, to name a few.  In 2023, Creighton was named the 2023 Edenton-Chowan Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year.

“To refer to Mr. Charlie Creighton as a ‘pillar of the community’ is an understatement indeed,” Chowan County Commission President Bob Kirby said. “Charlie has been a fixture of the local business community for so many years and the tireless contribution of his time, his talents, and his treasure have enhanced Chowan County and the Town of Edenton in innumerable ways.  Charlie did not need to build his amazing tire facilities here, but he chose to, and our community has thus been blessed with amazing economic and employment opportunities because of that decision. God Bless You, Charlie.”
 
Charlie was a leading force behind saving Taylor Theater, same with many other things in the community. A few years back, the Taylor needed tons of much needed renovations – I forgot the cost, but it was a lot of money. If Charlie hadn’t stepped up, inspired others to do the same, then we would’ve lost our theater – and let me tell you, it is the best theater in Eastern NC.  

Charlie was a devoted family man, a faithful Christian and a generous soul.  

“Charlie checked a lot of boxes during his lifetime — wonderful husband, loving dad and grandfather, consummate businessman, heart of gold, philanthropist and a dear friend, just to name a few,” former Mayor Roland Vaughan said. “He was the brother that I never had, and I, along with others, will miss him greatly and rejoice that he was such a significant part of my life.”

Former State Senator Bob Steinburg and his wife Marie were sad to hear the news of their friend’s passing.

“We are so very sorry to hear this news of Charlie’s passing. We loved Charlie. He was a dear and devoted friend to many and we are humbled to be among them. It is truly the end of an era.”

More tributes are sure to follow as people process this news, which will be included in a future story.  

UPDATE: Charlie’s funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 21 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Edenton. A reception will follow at Hayes. The service will be livestreamed on St. Paul’s Facebook page.

“Eternal rest grant onto him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of the faithful departed , through the mercy of God, rest in peace,” St. Paul’s posted to social media.

Hero’s Origin Story

A lot of thoughts and emotions here, so bear with me…

Let’s start with Charlie’s hero origin story — Charlie was a top salesman for Caterpillar with a knack for closing big deals. 

But Charlie changed course in 1976 – he was just 32-years-old when he founded Colony Tire – one of the country’s leading tire distributors. Colony Tire supplies millions of tires per year to truck fleets, construction companies, heavy equipment companies, mines, farms, tire dealers, and car dealerships throughout the region. Also, Colony Tire is a great place to get your car repaired.

Tire Dealer of the Year in 2007, this story from Modern Tire truly illustrates Charlie’s entrepreneurial spirit.  

“I’ve never had any illusions about the tire business being a glamorous business. When I was selling Caterpillar machines I never spent much time thinking that I wanted to be a tire dealer. When I was selling kerosene and diesel fuel I never thought I wanted to be a tire dealer.”

What separates independent tire dealers from other businesspeople? “We make less money,” he says with a laugh. “We work harder and get dirtier. You know, when I wasn’t in the tire business, it had no appeal to me. But once I got in it, I found that I loved it. It meets all of my needs.

“I don’t want to be in the jewelry business. I don’t want to be a lawyer. I’m not smart enough to be a doctor. The tire business has served me well and I’m delighted to be in it. I don’t want to be anything else.”

Fast forward to January of 2020, I remember interviewing Charlie in a field where Colony Tire’s new warehouse was being built. In the distance, construction workers were laying concrete for a new warehouse. The warehouse was to be about 100,000 square feet. The second warehouse that Colony had built within about a year. 

When I asked Charlie if he thought he’d ever thought he’d be where he is today with all of Colony Tire’s success. 

Charlie answered, No. That though he worked hard, had dreams and wanted to be a businessman, never did he imagine that he’d be where he is today.

Charlie’s answer spoke volumes about his character.   

In my round-up column, I wrote that when my daughter Samantha and I were exploring the new brick sidewalk bordering South Granville and West Water streets, we talked about Charlie and how to best define success. 

I told her that once upon a time, there was a generation of men and women who worked hard, raised families, maybe dreamed big, but didn’t go into it expecting to start out at the top and work their way up. That generation was reared on Walton’s Mountain values, and our communities and nation are stronger because of those ideals. 

So as to instill that sense of place, presence and value that Charlie’s generation has, I told Samantha that the best you can do is to work hard and do what’s right for your family and the community. That’s a legacy that endures. I said to Samantha that while ambition is important, the key is being happy. A person’s legacy is defined by what he/she leaves behind, not by statues, power or glory – all of which fade when entering God’s house. 

The last time I spoke to Charlie was about a month ago – he bought a subscription to the Albemarle Observer. He talked to my wife that day too. We will miss you.