Can I get tags on a car if the owner (my father) is deceased?

It depends solely on whether or not you are the executor of your father's estate, your father left a will which allows you to inherit the vehicle, or there is a legal document proving that you are the owner. If all of the necessary paperwork can be provided to prove that you are now the owner of the vehicle, then yes you can get the vehicle registered in the state that you live in (assuming that it is North Carolina).

Call your local DMV and ask exactly what documents you need to bring, so that you can register the vehicle and get the tags. Just as an FYI, the insurance company will also need documentation supporting your ownership. Make sure you get the vehicle added on your insurance first, before you go to the DMV. North Carolina DMV will not register a vehicle without proof of insurance.