Charles Cleveland Carico, age 81, of Galax, Virginia passed away Saturday, July 5, 2014 in the Twin County Regional Hospital.

He was born on September 29, 1932 in Alleghany County, North Carolina to Jerome and Geneva Higgins Carico.

Charles was a member of the Mt. Vale United Methodist Church and the Fairview Ruritan Club. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. He spent more than 50 years operating Hillcrest Service Center and retired in 2004.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Norma Edwards Carico of Galax, Virginia; daughter and son-in-law Bridget Ann and Ken Kern of Gray Court, South Carolina; grandsons Patrick Gentry and Joseph Kern; sister and brother-in-law Sidna and Ted McKaughan of Forest Hill, Maryland; brother-in-law and his wife Rev. Jack and Judy Edwards of Kingsport, Tennessee; one nephew and two great-nieces.

There will be no visitation at the funeral home and the family request no food, please. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014 at 2:00 PM in the Mt. Vale United Methodist Church.  Burial will follow in the Mt. Vale Cemetery.  Officiating ministers will be the Rev. Jack Edwards and the Rev. Brandon Berg. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Mt. Vale United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 3350 Meadow Creek Road, Galax, Virginia 24333.