Onslow schools lose icon

Charles Hoyt Jr. was an icon in Onslow County Schools, his former colleagues say.

Hoyt died Wednesday at Onslow Memorial Hospital.

"He was the person in charge of the lifeline so to speak," former Superintendent Ron Singletary said. "He was extremely involved with the work we did in upgrading, expanding the school facilities that are now providing a first class learning opportunity for students."

Hoyt retired from Onslow County Schools in 2002 after 38 years - 25 of which were spent as Assistant Superintendent of Business and Property - of making a difference.

"He was vigilant in maintaining and protecting the investment made in our community. He was extremely interested in us getting the facilities that would give students first class opportunities but he was equally interested in protecting the taxpayers' investment by making sure that we always maintained and properly serviced those facilities so we could maximize their life and certainly pay back the investment the community made in them," Singletary said.

"The entire Onslow County community and school system family have all been touched by Mr. Hoyt and his work. He will continue to impact those who have had the honor to know him through our memories of his high level of commitment, dedication, and love for his work, family and friends. He was a tremendous leader for our school system and will be remembered as an educator who gave of himself daily to support the needs of others," Kathy T. Spencer, Superintendent of Onslow County Schools, said.

Hoyt's importance, Singletary said, was often overlooked.

"If the buses ran, if school food was served daily, if the schools were heated and cooled, if roofs were repaired, he didn't get credit for it," he said, noting that all that Hoyt's job entailed. "By doing the job he did, he kept the lights on and kept the stage operating."

Former Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Freddie Canady remembers Hoyt as a "character."

"He was a delight to work with because he loved to sing. We'd hear him singing in the afternoons after hours if I was here," Canady said.

Hoyt saw Onslow County Schools face many challenges, Singletary said.

"Whether it was hurricane damage or fires or delayed construction, his leadership and diligence always enabled our program to get back to normal as soon as possible and to start on time. It was those little things that weren't little but didn't get a lot of credit because we just came to expect that we were going to operate and his job was to see whatever it took that we could do it," Singletary said.

Despite his diligence and hard work, Hoyt was a friend to his co-workers.

"I think he treated the maintenance department, we called it then, it was sort of like his family, and he was like the head of the family. I think he liked to work with his people like that. He was truly, I guess I'd say, a character," Canady said.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Ann's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Jim Cook officiating.

Contact Jacksonville/Onslow County reporter Amanda Hickey at ahickey@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8461.