After 34 years as a North Carolina High School Athletic Association football referee, Charles Henry officiated his final contest Oct. 27 at Lejeune High School. where the Devil Pups hosted the Dixon Bulldogs. Henry’s first game as a football official was in 1982 at West Craven. He took a hiatus during the 1988 season. In addition to prep football, Henry officiated scholastic soccer and umpired Legion baseball. Henry currently serves as Onslow County’s Senior Resident Superior Court Judge. [MIKE MCHUGH/THE DAILY NEWS]

Football - Soccer - Baseball...He did it all serving our student-athletes by calling who knows how many games?, on how many fields at how many schools?;  in how many counties? and he had a pretty important day job! One may wonder how many big games and playoff championships he was assigned?

When you saw him arrive with his white hat you knew the game was in good hands. Always the gentleman, you knew he would have a good crew and the game would be called as fair as possible.  The same relief would come in a key soccer game when he would be the center official.  He would take the time to explain a disputed call; whether you accepted it or not.

At some baseball games, as the plate umpire, he would catch the usual junk comments and you would wonder if the smart mouths knew who they were yelling at? He took it in stride and many times between innings he would be over talking to them as if nothing had happened.

THANK YOU Judge Henry for the past 34 years! That's miles and miles of running! You have been the FRIEND, MENTOR and OFFICIAL to so many ADs, coaches and student-athletes! YOU WILL BE MISSED! ... (See you at a game soon!)