Charles Howard McCrary II

Charles Howard McCrary II of Atlantic Beach, Florida, passed away in his home on April 1st, 2025, with his wife Pamela and son Paul by his side.

Born on July 2nd, 1948 in Florence, SC, he was the only child of Elizabeth and Charles McCrary (deceased). His family includes his wife Pamela Beasley McCrary, his son Paul Phillips, daughter Erin McCrary, son Charles McCrary III (Joann) and grandsons Nicholas and Benjamin.

Charles succumbed to ALS after a long and courageous fight with this terminal disease.

Charles was very proud of his academic achievements in life. As a military dependent, he attended schools in Maine, Baumholder Germany, South Carolina, Augusta GA, Frederick MD, Kenai Alaska and Shrewsbury NJ, graduating in June of 1966. His studies produced a BA in Political Science and also later in 1976 he returned to the University of South Carolina Graduate program and received a Masters of Criminal Justice and Public Administration.

Charles’ career continued with the Department of Defense in 1977, where he joined the US Customs Marine Branch in Charleston, SC where he patrolled the coast and waterways of SC until 1978 and then transferred to the US Customs Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick GA.

1985 was a very good year for Charlie because that is the year he married the love of his life Pamela Beasley of Brunswick who he met when they both worked for FLETC. They moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1987 where Charlie worked for Customs Air Branch until he retired in 2004. Not a man to stay still, Charlie became Chief of FLETC Security Police until 2006 and then Firearms Instructor at FLETC from 2008-2014. Charlie was an excellent shot and participated in competitive pistol shooting in Florida, Maryland, Alaska and Arizona.

Oh what a man, what a man, what a really good man Charlie was and the many adventures he and Pam shared. Not one to shy away from a good time, you could find Charlie and Pam driving around Atlantic Beach in his Hummer and when the spirit moved him, Charlie would take to the road and drive all the way to California and Arizona to attend Gun site sources or competitions where he would come home a WINNER! Charlie was an avid hunter. He kept their home freezer full of the game he shot: deer, wild turkey and fish that he caught in Alaska! He also would love to cook it for Pam and they shared many a night eating his delicious fare. Now, it wasn’t always hunting and fishing; he also would accompany his lady Pam to casinos to watch and sometimes play the slot machines. Pam was always winning and he was always smiling to see the absolute joy that came from their adventures together. Pam loved entering Sweepstakes and Charlie was right there with her supporting her all the way and it paid off as Pam won many cars and then Charlie won one as well! One of his entries won him a trip to see the Diesel Brothers! Life with Pam was always FUN!

Charlie was a true Southern Gentleman and treated Pam like his queen. Even through the days of his suffering with ALS, he never complained and always thanked Pam for being his ‘ride or die’ woman. The two of them rode his illness together just like they had done with everything else in life. He knew she would be the last face he would see before he died and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Charlie was cremated and his ashes were made into rocks. These will always be a reminder of his stamina and strength during his life and illness…and what he’s always been to Pam…HER ROCK!

There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.