Carlton Bradley Earnhardt

Carlton Bradley Earnhardt, of Asheville, NC, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2023, at the age of 55. He was the son of the late Keith Lancaster Earnhardt and Dr. James F. Earnhardt. He was born at the Camp Zama Army Hospital near Tokyo, Japan, where his father was stationed at the time.

Brad is survived by his father, Dr. James F. Earnhardt of Gerton, NC; his two brothers: James F. Earnhardt, Jr., of Raleigh, NC, and Michael K. Earnhardt of La Crescenta, CA; his sister-in-law, Angela Curry Earnhardt, of La Crescenta; his two nephews: Warwick M. Earnhardt, of Durham, NC, and Silas C. Earnhardt, of La Crescenta; and two nieces: Scarlett S. Earnhardt, of New York, NY, and Ada R. Earnhardt, of La Crescenta. He is also survived by his former wife and best friend, Francis Xenakis Earnhardt, of Asheville.

Brad grew up in Winston-Salem, NC, where he completed high school and undergraduate studies at the School of Music at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Upon graduating, he attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the University of Arizona. He eventually settled in Asheville where he performed and taught classical guitar. He was a founding member of the Asheville Classical Guitar Society and a regular performer at the Biltmore Estate. He continued to teach and inspire students young and old, many of whom he referred to the North Carolina School of the Arts and other national programs. Brad maintained many friendships with former students from across the country.

He not only had a passion for classical guitar, but for the arts in general. Brad was also fiercely proud of not owning a television and was a lifelong lover of cats, including his beloved six-toed Mia. He loved to cook and was particularly fond of Asian cuisine. Brad was also passionate about politics, always choosing the side of compassion, equality, tolerance, and social justice.

In the spring of this year, Brad was diagnosed with cancer and he eventually failed to respond to treatment. There is great appreciation by his family for the significant time and effort of his doctors, nurses, other care providers and his many friends. Brad was a kind and gentle soul who was loved by many and will be sorely missed.

A private memorial will be held by immediate family. A public celebration of his life will take place in Asheville during the week of Brad’s birthday in mid-January. Details will be announced. In lieu of flowers, we are asking that memorial donations be sent to the School of Music at the North Carolina School of the Arts (phone 336-770-3330; website www.uncsa.edu/giving), or by giving to a charity of your choice.