Ray W. Chadwick, Jr.

Ray Chadwick of Clyde passed away at Haywood Regional Medical Center on December 20, 2023, following a brief illness. 

Born in Havelock, NC, Ray loved the mountains and called them home for more than fifty years.  A science teacher, he retired after 31 years from Tuscola High School.  As passionate as he was about teaching, he developed a deeper passion for gardening and spent his retirement researching, growing, and harvesting amazing heirloom tomatoes.

Ray is the son of the late Ray W. Chadwick Sr. and Velma H. Chadwick of Havelock.  In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 52 years, Dianne Chadwick, his son Matthew and wife Nina of Virginia Beach, Va., his daughter Sarah and husband Wesley Deal of Troutman, NC, three grandsons, Drew, Caleb, and Nathan of Virginia Beach and bonus grandchildren Gaven and Carley Deal of Mooresville.  He is also survived by his sister Jean Czernik of New Bern, his brothers Jim of Havelock and Tommy of Wilmington, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville. 

A private family service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Dr. Janice H. Holt Scholarship through WCU’s College of Education via  https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/43019/donations/new.

Additionally, memorials may be directed to the Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band delivered to WCU’s School of Music, 274 Coulter Building, Cullowhee, NC, 28723, or via  https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/8054/donations/new.

The care of Mr. Chadwick has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville and an online memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.