Donald Ray Charles

Don Charles was born on September 23, 1936 and lived his entire life in the city he loved, New Orleans. He died on May 13, 2025. Don was a graduate of Alcee Fortier High School where he excelled in baseball, football, basketball and track and was voted Most Athletic by his classmates. His athletic prowess earned him a scholarship to Tulane University where he played baseball and was awarded several athletic letters. Don had the distinction of hitting the cycle against arch-rival LSU in a game held in Baton Rouge. In college Don had a summer job as a camp counselor at Sam Barthe School in City Park. There he met the love of his life, Edna. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Geology in 1958 Don and Edna married on October 23, 1960. Don served his country as a medic in the Air Force and then began work at Standard Supply and Hardware Company where he remained for his entire career rising from the warehouse to serving as a vice president.

Don’s warm smile and engaging personality were a gift to all who knew him. He was never without a joke or humorous story to share. Don was devoted to his family and had a gift for making everyone he knew feel special. A life-long athlete, Don worked out multiple times a week for decades at the Y.M.C.A, the Reily Center at Tulane or training for marathons on the streets of New Orleans. Don was an ardent Tulane fan, cheering on his beloved Green Wave through all sports and seasons. He was an elder at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church and with Edna particularly loved helping at the Program of Hope Ministry.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Christine Helmer Charles and Russell Hamilton Charles, his brothers, Russell Charles, Arthur Charles, and George Charles, and his sisters Althea Charles, Gloria C. Duncan, Audrey C. Maumus and Arthemise Charles. He is survived by his wife, Edna Metzger Charles, his daughters, Emily Charles Fleshman (Roger) and Sutton Charles Ruiz (Mike) and granddaughters, Grace Sentell Fleshman and Gloria Sutton Ruiz. The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude for the loving care provided to Don by the entire staff of The Blake at Colonial Club, Danyel Hunt (Grace and Compassion Senior Care LLC) and Anthony Christiana (Passages Hospice).

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial service in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 2:00PM. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 1:00PM. Inurnment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family welcomes memorial gifts to St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church (1545 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118) or Tulane Athletics directed to the Green Wave Club (Visit giving.tulane.edu/memory or mail checks to Tulane University, PO Box 669394, Dallas, TX 75266-9394. Please indicate that the gift is in memory of Donald Charles).

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