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Charles Patrick Potts, 54

Charles Patrick Potts, age 54, passed away on Jan. 26, 2019, in Charlotte, N.C., with his loving wife by his side, after a courageous battle with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified.

Patrick was born in Spokane, Wash., on Oct. 11, 1964. He graduated from Washington State University in 1987, and was a Kappa Sigma brother with a degree in business and marketing. He loved living life, laughter, his countless many friends and all people, traveling the world with friends and with the love of his life and great food and wine.

He enjoyed much success as a business leader and a successful entrepreneur. He was admired by his business partners and he inspired and was beloved by the employees he led. He was a true and generous friend, shared his talents in serving the communities where he lived, shared his incredible life stories and modeled his strength and humanity to all who knew him.

Patrick met the love of his life, Andrea Smith-Potts, on Oct. 12, 2005. While taking shelter from hurricane Wilma on Oct. 24, 2005, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., they decided to marry. They were married shortly after on March 18, 2006. They recently moved to Shelby, N.C., where they settled into the community they loved and began renovations on their lovely family home. The couple loved to always open their home to their many friends and family, and those fortunate enough to be their guests felt the love they had for each other and were lavished with the love bestowed on them.

Most recently, Patrick and his business partner, Ralf Heron, founded Homeport Water Technologies, where he successfully launched a solution for non-polluting water treatment technology to the benefit of the world’s water crisis. This labor of love, to which he devoted his time and talents even during his illness, is just one lasting legacy that he leaves, and which will continue to improve our planet’s water crisis.

Patrick was also instrumental in the 2005 startup and success of Island Global Yachting, an international company which acquires and manages luxury yacht marinas and their upland properties. His vision, ability to identify, teach, and lead talented professionals is just another example of his brilliant leadership and drive. Patrick had a thirst for learning new technologies, inventing solutions, problem-solving, leading project teams and sharing this knowledge and enthusiasm to colleagues and friends.

Patrick is survived by his bride and soulmate, Andrea Smith-Potts; his fur baby, Mojo Potts; father and stepmother, Charles R. and Billie Potts; his mother, Helen Cody-Salter; brothers, Steve (Karen) Potts, and Shawn (Molly) Potts; stepbrother, Chris (Angie) McDougal; stepsister, Heather (Ryan) Jabaay; special sister-in-law, Dana Smith; and niece and nephews, Brynn (Mark) Thorne, Jesse Potts, Mckenzie, Mac, Ted, Jake, Connor, Nick, Braden, Drew and Luke.

A celebration of life will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, at the Cleveland County Country Club, 1360 E. Marion St., Shelby, NC 28150.

At Patrick’s request, memorial donations made be made to: http://support.lymphoma.org/site/TR?px=1447537&fr_id=1410&pg=personal

Online condolences may be made at www.cecilmburton funeralhome.com. Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Potts.