Charles Dexter Petzold

Charles Dexter Petzold passed away peacefully on August 31, 2023, at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville.

Dexter was preceded in death by his parents, Ann and James of California, and his three brothers, Timothy, Philip, and Christopher, all of California.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa (Teri) of Hiddenite, and four sons, David of Hiddenite, Michael (Dawn) of Taylorsville, Richard of California, and Thomas (Jennifer) of Wake Forest. He is also survived by his sister, Barb (Michael) Cooper of Utah; four nieces, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Jennifer, and Maggie; a granddaughter, Katelyn Petzold-Provencher (David) of California; and a grandson, Benjamin Petzold (Thomas) of Wake Forest. He also has seven more grandchildren from his son’s marriages, Gordon, Tess, Elizabeth, Josh, Lexi, Jackson, and Austin; a great-granddaughter, Sophia (Katelyn) of California; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Dexter proudly served in the United States Navy as a Chief Fire Control Technician and retired after twenty years, most of them in California. As he liked to say, he went home, changed his uniform, and went to work for the Department of Defense in Virginia. He taught what he knew best, radars and missiles, retiring after ten years.

At home, he loved to fish, play golf, and garden. The neighbors welcomed him with true southern hospitality including plowing a space for a garden, scraping the snow from the driveway, supplying him with fresh vegetables and fruit, and, in general, being true neighbors.

Dexter and his wife volunteered a great deal of their time at the Alexander Senior Center in Taylorsville. He took charge of the golf team, calling to remind the players of their upcoming game. He also helped his wife with her volunteering. Dexter and Teri met and made very good friends at the Senior Center. They were a blessing until the very end.

Dexter slipped away peacefully and we couldn’t have asked or prayed for more. Hospice made his last days calm and restful. If you wish, please donate to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. They are a Godsend.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Alexander Senior Center, 730 7th St SW, Taylorsville, on Saturday, October 21, at 1:00 p.m.