Carl Champion, 80, of Gastonia, NC, formerly of Kings Mountain, passed away on August 28, 2020, at the Robin Johnson Hospice House in Dallas, NC.

He was born in Cleveland County, son of the late Lyman Edmond and Gertrude Ledford Champion and was also preceded in death by his sister, Della Bell. He served in the United States Army, was a lifelong member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, a member of the Fairview Masonic Lodge #339 in Kings Mountain, the Oasis Shrine, and a charter member of the White Plains Shrine Club. He was the owner and operator of Champion Contracting in both Kings Mountain and Melbourne, Florida. Carl was passionate about sports, especially KM sports, and loved golf and racing; he was instrumental in the founding of the Kings Mountain Sports Hall of Fame and was inducted as a member. He was proud to be from Kings Mountain and always returned to celebrate the town and its people. He helped all he could and truly enjoyed seeing people succeed. His grandchildren were an extra special part of his life, and he loved spending time with them. Carl was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He is a legend to his family and will be missed greatly by his family, friends, and the Kings Mountain and Melbourne, Florida community.

SURVIVORS: Wife of 38 years: Patricia "Pat" Ledford Champion, Gastonia, NC; Sons: Chris Champion and wife Suzanne, Kevin Champion and wife Kamie, Justin Champion and wife Julie, and Kent Rice and wife Marisa; Daughters: Ashley C. Jones and husband Van, Knoxville, TN, Claudia Florenzato of Germany, Martina Popple of Germany, and Angela Rice of Florida; Sisters: Darlene Jimison and husband Mike and Betty Thornburg.

Fifteen Grandchildren and Three Great-Grandchildren

GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Monday, August 31, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Mountain Rest Cemetery with Reverend Jim Brackett officiating

VISITATION: The body will lie in state at Harris Funeral Home from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, August 30, 2020

INTERMENT: Mountain Rest Cemetery

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals at Oasis Shriners, 604 Doug Mayes Place, Charlotte, NC 28262

GUEST REGISTER AVAILABLE AT WWW.HARRISFUNERALS.COM

ARRANGEMENTS: HARRIS FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA