Paul Gibert Charbonnet, III

ASHEVILLE - Paul Gibert Charbonnet, III, died in Asheville, North Carolina, on January 3, 2026, after a nine year battle with cardiac sarcoidosis. He fought with dignity until the end, leaving this world holding the hands of his wife of 46 years, his children and grandchildren close by.

He was born in 1947 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the eldest of five children. He was a standout athlete in high school, a butterfly specialist on the swim team who held state records and qualified for the Junior Olympics. He played football at Oberlin College, though he was never particularly taken with it. What changed his life was a transfer to the University of Akron: they had a computer. That decision marked a permanent pivot to technology, and from that moment on, everything in his life revolved around computers. He briefly trained with the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam but never saw combat. After college, he started out as a teacher, then sold minicomputers. In his free time, he found peace underwater as a scuba diver.

In 1989, with no money, unpaid bills, and repo men looking for his car, he and his wife Shirley started a company that would define his life and touch thousands of others: Investors FastTrack. It was the early days of dial up and personal computing: phone lines, racks of modems, bouncing checks while bouncing ideas, but the gamble paid off. By the late ’90s, FastTrack had become a thriving software and data company with more than 20 employees. Its users adored the product, but even more, they adored him. The company helped build fortunes, and in turn, it built a legacy: his software provided for his family, created careers, and opened doors for countless people.

He met his wife in Baton Rouge, LA, and together they raised three children. He was a great father defined by how he lived. He believed in doing things face-to-face, finishing what you start, and doing the right thing even when it’s hard. Life, he insisted, should be lived on your own terms, not your boss’s.

Work was about learning, curiosity, and growth. When you stop learning, move on. Money mattered only in service of freedom. Make it work for you, not the other way around.

His personality drew people in. He could talk to anyone, asking real questions, listening closely, and making even complicated things feel simple. He loved telling stories and never let the truth get in the way of a good one. He could come off as blunt, even harsh, but directness, he believed, was the highest form of respect. He was the opposite of fake. If he gave you his time, he gave you all of it.

In his later years, he became a quiet miracle. Battling serious health conditions over many years, he turned his energy toward staying alive, not just for himself, but for his family. He faced his illness the way he faced every serious problem: by taking charge of it. He sought out the best doctors, asked for second opinions, built strong medical teams, and kept pushing for better answers. As long as there was something else to try, he kept going.

Shirley was beside him every step, fierce in her devotion and patience. Together they won what no one expected: more time. Precious time with his family, especially the grandchildren who adored him.

His legacy is unmistakable. With FastTrack he helped thousands of people change their financial lives. He lived that same spirit every day. He gave everyone a chance. Everyone. Neighborhood kids, ex-cons, drop-ins, walk-ups. If you knocked on his door, he’d probably give you a job. He saw potential where others saw risk. And he never stopped believing in people.

His grandchildren carry his wisdom like a lantern: Be honest. Learn deeply. Work hard. Live free. And always, always bet on yourself.

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul G. Charbonnet Jr., his mother, Barbara Alice Hunter, and his brother, Christopher Charbonnet. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Charbonnet; his children, Paul IV (Sarah), Daniel (Sara), and Camille Charbonnet; and his grandchildren, Alexandra and Dolly. He also leaves behind his three siblings, Laura C. Smith, Barbara Charbonnet, and Hunter N. Charbonnet Sr., as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 12424 Brogdon Ln, Baton Rouge, LA 70816. The Mass will be celebrated by his longtime pastor, Father Jerry Martin.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving the Charbonnet family. Condolences may be offered to the family under his obituary at www.westfamilyfuneralservices.com.