Mr. Charles Thomas “Tom” Charnock, 82, of West Palm Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully on May 12, 2024, at Good Samaritan Medical Center. Tom was born in Nassawadox to the late Lelia Ackiss Charnock and the late Washington Bryant Charnock on Dec. 23, 1941.
He was a graduate of Northampton High School and Virginia Tech. Tom loved life, exuding joy and exuberance that were contagious. He liked music and was a good dancer. Sometimes he would mention how he liked to work hard and play hard.
Tom chose an unusual vocation — he was one of the first migratory beekeepers who moved his bees across America to pollinate different crops. At home, in Florida, it was the orange blossom. In the state of Maine, Tom’s bees pollinated fields of blueberry blossoms. In North Dakota, it was sweet clover, sunflowers, and canola. And in California, it was almond groves.
For many years, he flew his own airplane to find the best locations that were full of blooms. His vibrant memory lives in the hearts and minds of the many people who knew and loved him dearly. Fly, Charles Thomas Charnock, in the sky to the stars … into your dreamworld.
He is survived by his sister, Nancy Parks (Howard Parks, deceased); his wife, Irisha Charnock; his daughter, Suzanne Halverson (Jeffrey Halverson); his son, Ross Charnock (Christine Charnock); and six grandchildren.
Tom was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Charnock, and his son, Thomas Charnock.
A memorial service is planned for a later date. Memorials may be made to Lower Northampton Baptist Church, c/o Annette Brown, 5425 Tyson’s Circle, Cape Charles, VA 23310.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were made by Wilkins-Doughty Funeral Home in Cape Charles.
