Charles Edwin (Tubby) Zachary passed away Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024, at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC.

Tubby was born August 31, 1962, to the late Peggy Talley Zachary and Charles Zachary in Franklin, NC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Bo Cunningham. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jo Cloer Zachary; two daughters, Tami Cody (Bryan), Callee Bowman, both of Franklin; five grandchildren, Timothy Stevens (Brison) of Asheville, Cassie Jo McMahan (Taylor) of Clayton, GA, and Tucker, Elly, and Curtis Bowman of the home.

Tubby loved people and people loved Tubby. Tubby had been a firefighter since he became of age to join Highlands Fire Department. He put his whole heart into it, and he was heartbroken when he had to hang up his helmet when he was diagnosed with cancer. He was born to fight fire with his father, grandfather, uncles, and cousins. Another thing Tubby loved was food! He loved to cook and after he sold cars, which he was a pro at as well, he told Jo they should buy the City Restaurant. Then he went to work cooking biscuits by the hundreds. He loved catering and running the concession stand for pool. After nine years in the restaurant business, Tubby decided to sell the City Restaurant and for him and Jo to go to driving school. They then bought a big truck and hit the highway, driving all forty-eight continental states and Canada until a heart attack forced him to give up long-haul trucking. He later became excited when he got to go to work for Dennis Wilson, and eventually got back in the seat of a brand-new Pete and hauled thousands of tankers of gas. He was truly happy trucking and made many, many friends. Another love of Tubby's was racing. He enjoyed many summers of dirt track racing. He won and wrecked a few times at several of the area tracks. He built up another generation of friends during his time racing. Tubby was never satisfied to do anything halfway, it was full steam ahead, all or nothing, until he took his last breath with Jo by his side.

Of all his accomplishments, the one that counted the most was giving his life to Christ. He knew then he was heaven bound. He loved attending and was a member of Coweeta Baptist Church. He volunteered many times to take loads of supplies to hard hit areas from natural disasters with Hearts with Hands in Swannanoa, NC. Tubby can not be replaced, and his friends and loved ones will grieve long after he is gone. Cancer may have taken his body, but Christ has his soul. May he rest in peace until we meet again.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 7, from 1-2pm at Macon Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2pm following the visitation. Revs' Keith Ashe, Andy Cloer, and Mike Wilson will officiate. Brenda Wooten will deliver eulogy. Burial will be in the Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Paul Corbin, Michael Chastain, Greg Raby, Randy McCoy, James Manley, and Allen Bryson. Honorary pallbearers will be Highlands Fire and Rescue and the employees of Wilson Gas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hearts with Hands, 850 Warren Wilson Rd, Swannanoa, NC 28778.

Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.