Funeral services for Mr. Charles H. “Chuck” Fairchild will be held Tuesday at 2:30 pm at College Park United Methodist Church. Rev. Kenneth Owen will be officiating. Burial will follow in Fairchild Cemetery. Stephens Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. Fairchild, 72, of Meridian, passed away Thursday at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center.

He was retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad as a railroad yardmaster. Mr. Fairchild graduated from Meridian High School and served his country in the U.S. Army serving during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the local VFW Post 79, Moose Lodge #1628 and Mississippi Chapter Phi Delta Kappa.            He was an avid fan of classic country music and enjoyed watching the hummingbirds from his front porch. Mr. Fairchild was also an avid gun collector as well as hats. Though he was a big fan of Mississippi State football, you could occasionally hear a “Who Dat” as a New Orleans Saints fan. He was also a dedicated supporter of St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Mr. Fairchild is survived by his children Gina Fairchild Gardner (Jessie), Charles “Hank” Fairchild II (Amy), Tara Fairchild, Angie Minchew and Andrea Achenbach; grandchildren Holli Boyd, Alani Turnbow, Jada Turnbow, Joeby Fairchild, Ruby Kate Fairchild, Sadie Fairchild, Henry Fairchild, Maghen Thrash and Shanna Thrash. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Caden Boutin, Braxton Boyd and Caige Smith along with numerous nieces, nephews and many special friends who will dearly miss him.

Mr. Fairchild was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Ruby Fairchild; brothers J.B. Fairchild, George Fairchild, J.R. “Butch” Fairchild, and Larry Fairchild; sister Fleeta Fairchild Gressett, granddaughter Karli Thrash and fiancé Jan Boswell.

Pallbearers will be, James Boyd, Timmy Cates, Jeremy Rose, Eric Smith, Kevin Turnbow and Tim Turnbow. Honorary pallbearers are Melvin Burnett Tom Eakes, Carter Eakes and Joeby Fairchild.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 1pm until service time at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Mr. Fairchild’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the charity of your choice.

Friends may sign the online register at www.stephensfunerals.com.