LUNNEY

Charles R. Lunney, 93, passed away Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, in Pinehurst.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, in Southern Pines. Family will receive friends at the church following the service.
Mr. Lunney was born May 21, 1919, in Buffalo, N.Y., to the late Clara Roemer and Arthur Lunney. He attended Kenmore High School, Buffalo State Teachers College and Northwestern University, earning a BA in business.
He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a B-29 pilot, earning both the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He flew 37 missions over Japan and was a transport pilot briefly during the Korean War. During his years living in North Carolina, his war experiences were documented in articles appearing in The Pilot, the Pinehurst Magazine and most recently in a book titled “World At War,” by Nick Reed.
An accomplished artist, he had a distinguished career in advertising, specializing in promoting television and radio products for Stewart-Warner, Sylvania and General Electric before starting his own business designing and selling point-of-purchase displays, signs and fixtures. He was also the general sales manager of radio station WCEL in Southern Pines, Pinehurst and Aberdeen.
Upon retiring, Chuck and Tish relocated to the Pinehurst area in 1982 and ultimately built a home in Whispering Pines. Chuck served on the board of directors at Whispering Pines Country Club and the English-Speaking Union, founded and organized the Artist League of the Sandhills, and served on the vestries at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Southern Pines, and Trinity Episcopal Church, in Fayetteville, N.Y.
Chuck rarely broke 100, but enjoyed playing golf with his buddies at Whispering Pines Country Club. As they grew older, he began a lunch group known as the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out), who became infamous through an article written for Golf Magazine by Jim Dodson.
He was awarded the prestigious “Piney Award” for his contributions to the art community in the Sandhills in 2010 and was featured in the June 2010 issue of PineStraw magazine for this accomplishment, as well as an article in the Pinehurst Magazine in 1996.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Letitia; sons Richard Lunney (Elizabeth) and Timothy Lunney (Tracy); daughters Christine Spencer (Howard) and Elizabeth Fallon (Peter); nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother, Arthur.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Artist League of the Sandhills, 129 Exchange St., Aberdeen, NC 28315. Online condolences may be made at www.boles funeralhome.com.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is assisting the family.