Charles Lewis Whited Jr.

Charles Lewis Whited Jr. died peacefully on Saturday, February 15, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Born in New Orleans on December 20, 1954, he was the son of Beatriz Ajubita Whited and Charles Lewis Whited. Charles spent several childhood years in Venezuela with his family and forever valued this early immersion into its culture and the Spanish language.

Charles attended De La Salle High School, during which time he augmented his education by taking courses at Tulane University. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He held three degrees from Tulane University: a Juris Doctor, a Masters of Business Administration, and a Masters in Admiralty Law.

Charles’ admiralty law practice included representation of shipowners and Protection & Indemnity Clubs through which he made many life-long friends in the international shipping community. Well-respected by his clients - whether from Asia, Europe, or Japan - he valued the rich cultural dimensions of his professional life. Charles was particularly noted for his expertise in handling disputes involving charter parties, bills of lading, and cargo claims.

Charles possessed superior intellectual gifts, and a limitless range of interests, curiosity, and knowledge. He could be counted on to elevate the conversation with proficiency (and humility) on whatever the topic. His expertise in art spanned its centuries and included, as a sampling, a command of the contextual origins of pictures, the lives of their creators, and the collections where they are held.

Charles was a champion of local artists. His meaningful engagement with his many friends in the art world was devoted to the fulfillment of their creative vision. The sweeping array of works in Charles’ personal collection reflects his impassioned belief in art and its potential to inspire.

He was proud of his Basque heritage, relished visits to San Sebastián, and looked forward to annual travel to Madrid, where he retraced his steps through the galleries of the Prado, never tiring of revisiting beloved works of art.

Charles was an in-demand guest at many family tables and never missed participating in both the celebratory milestones and the more somber occasions of his vast field of friends. His friends’ children and grandchildren affectionately knew him as “Tío Carlos.” The loss of the loyalty, wisdom, affection, trustworthiness, and sense of humor of this North Star is forever poignant.

Charles enjoyed years of camaraderie through his memberships in the Rex Organization and The Pickwick Club.

Much appreciation is expressed to Dr. Glenn Kelley, Dr. Aimee Aysenne, and Dr. Robert Greer, together with the Neuro-ICU staff at East Jefferson Hospital for their expert, tender care.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother, John Whited (Katherine); his nephew, Colin (Mary); and his niece, Ann (Cory). He is also survived by his great-nephews, Luca Whited and Sawyer Behm.

A Funeral Mass will be held in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Monday, February 24, 2025 at 11:00AM, with visitation starting at 10:30AM. The interment will follow the Mass at Metairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, any donations in Charles’ memory may be made to YAYA; the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts; the New Orleans Museum of Art; the Charles L. Whited Jr. Jefferson Scholarship Fund at the University of Virginia (https://www.jeffersonscholars.org/); or the charity of your choice.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com