Lt. Col. Charles S. Nagy Jr.

Lt. Col. Charles S. Nagy Jr., 86, known to friends as “Charlie” passed away peacefully in Raleigh, NC, where he went to be with his Lord and Savior on August 20, 2019 following an extended illness. His final days were spent surrounded by his loving family who will miss and cherish him always.

Our beloved “Pops” as he was also known, is preceded in death by his wife, Vickie, and his sister, Charlotte Sudzina. He is survived by his brother, Ronald Nagy; his brother-in-law, Michael Sudzina; his sister-in-law, Betty Chrifone; his children, Steve Nagy (and wife Debra), Cheryl Laverty (and husband Steve, SMSgt. (ret.), USAF), and Gary Nagy (and wife Betty); his grandchildren, Lauren Harris (and husband Jon), Lindsay Carter (and husband Coleman), Maura Laverty, Corey Nagy, Ryan Nagy, Austin Nagy, and Michael Laverty; and his great grandchildren, Brayden Harris, Emma Harris, Coleman Carter Jr., and Jackson Garrett. Charlie also had many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.

Lt. Col. Nagy enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and became known as an exceptional Navigator who was recognized many times throughout his illustrious 30-year career. He flew the B-47 Stratojet and the B-52 Stratofortress, accumulating more than 6,000 flight hours and serving an instrumental role in alert operations around the world for the Strategic Air Command. Lt. Col. Nagy proudly served his country in the Korean War, Vietnam War, and numerous missions throughout the Cold War. His crew was often selected to represent the United States in prestigious airshows and aerial demonstrations around the world. During the Vietnam War, Lt. Col. Nagy directed all B-52 strike missions in Hanoi as part of the famous Operation Linebacker II bombing campaign. This operation consisted of the heaviest aerial strikes since World War II and was considered a tremendous success because it resulted in the North Vietnamese resuming peace negotiations with the United States, which ultimately ended the Vietnam War.

Charlie and Vickie were married on October 1, 1955. They spent nearly 35 years traveling the world on different assignments, including Guam, Thailand, Japan, Philippines, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The family was last stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, N.C., where they eventually settled. Charlie and Vickie were active members of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church and enjoyed spending time on Seymour Johnson AFB. A devoted husband, loving father and brother, proud grandfather and great grandfather, and story-teller that passed on a tradition of sharing memories during 2-minute speeches at dinner. 

He will be honored by many for his dedication to those he served throughout the years. A visitation will be held Thursday,  August 22, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Howell Funeral Home & Crematory, 1500 Wayne Memorial Drive in Goldsboro.  A celebration of Charlie’s life will be held Friday, August 23, 2019 at 9 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church (base chapel), Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, N.C.  Entombment will follow at Wayne Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel with full military honors.  Please join us for a reception following the entombment at 400 Southwood Drive, Goldsboro N.C.

In lieu of flowers, the family request a donation to Tradition’s LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

NOTE: If you wish to attend the service on base, please provide your driver’s license number, proof of insurance, and license plate number in advance to Howell Funeral Home. Please arrive to the visitor center located at the front gate at least 30 minutes prior to the service.

Howell Funeral Home & Crematory of Goldsboro is serving the Nagy family.

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