Charles Lee Miser

Charles Lee Miser passed away at 86 on March 25, 2023, in Knoxville, TN. He was born on August 12, 1936, in the Upper Hills area of Griffin, Indiana to Arthur (Dad) and Georgia Miser. He was the sixth of seven boys. He is preceded in death by five of his seven brothers (Billy Joe, Robert, Mel, Raymond, and Jerry) His only surviving sibling is Norman who recently turned 93. Charles was married for 57 years and proceeded in death by the love of his life, Judith Ann Miser (81) in 2019. The couple was married in Patoka, Indiana on October 1, 1961. Charles and Judy have one son, Derek Alan Miser, who is married to Jeanne Bowen Miser and resides in Knoxville, Tennessee. They had one granddaughter, Sarah Beth Miser, 13, who was the joy of his life.

As almost everyone called him, Charles Lee was an avid sports fan and golfer. He was an 80-year follower of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the highlight of his Dodgers memories occurred in Hawaii in 2005, when he bumped into Dodger Hall of Famer, Don Newcome. He had a photo taken and besides all of his treasured family photos, there sat old Don. A great memory indeed!

Charles graduated from Griffin High School in 1954 as one of nine graduates that year. In 1956, he joined the ARMY and served in Korea shortly after the Korean War ended. Charles worked many jobs as a security officer, bread delivery man, and insurance salesman right after he and Judy were first married. Eventually, in 1964, he got a permanent position with Whirlpool in their Evansville location along Highway 41. In 1976, he made a big move to another Big Blue organization—not the Dodgers, but General Electric in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. There he was chosen to work and eventually be one of the lead operators that oversaw the start-up of the new Phenol operation that contributed to the creation of the famous plastic, LEXAN. He retired from General Electric in August of 1996. He and Judy retired to the Villages in Ocala, Florida shortly thereafter.

Charles became a Free Mason at the urging of Judy’s father, Ellis Johnson, shortly after they married. He often volunteered as a football, basketball, and baseball coach occasionally during his son’s youth sports years. Everyone that experienced Charlie’s intensity at ballgames seldom forgets his critiques and high expectations for his son and his peers regardless of age or sport. He was cut from the same cloth as Bobby Knight. In his view, it wasn’t about what you did right but how you could improve the next time to be better than before. He rebounded thousands of free throws and jump shots; pitched thousands of baseballs and line drives to his son as a youth until the sun would fall over the horizon no matter how early he started his day.

As a grandfather, Charles poured all his effort into the love of his granddaughter, Sarah Beth. He seldom missed any of her events and was always there to provide hugs and encouragement when she needed support. She is one lucky girl to have had a grandpa like him.

On Thursday, April 13, 2023 in Knoxville, Tennessee, a Celebration of Life will be held at Gettysvue Country Club from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held at Alexander Funeral Home West Chapel in Evansville, IN on Friday, April 14th, 2023 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Gene Backes officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Pat Summitt Foundation, 520 W Summit Hill Dr. SW #1101, Knoxville, TN 37902.

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.