Chuck came to Tallahassee from Monongahela, Pennsylvania to play football and baseball at Florida State University. Following his playing days, Chuck served in the U.S. Army for 26 years with combat time in Korea & Vietnam. He retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1977. Following his military career, Chuck became an education professional where he served the State and his community for over 40 years. Chuck worked for the FL Department of Education; served as an education advisor to Governor Graham and as a professor at both FSU & TCC. Chuck also worked as a consultant to the Department of Juvenile Justice where he evaluated and developed improvement plans for their education centers. Chuck and Shirley also opened one of Tallahassee’s first youth computer education centers – Education, Computers, ETC.
Chuck’s passions included FSU sports, particularly football and playing golf. He was a founding member and one of the first Presidents of the FSU Letterman’s Club – now the Varsity Club. Chuck especially enjoyed playing golf with his sons, son-in-laws and grandkids in the FSU Letterman’s Golf Tournament. Chuck also loved to coach baseball and football. He culminated his coaching career as the Florida High JV Football coach which won the city championship in 1978 -79. Additionally, Chuck supported all of his kid’s interests and activities. This led him to becoming very active in the local Equestrian Community where he organized & ran events, as well as served as a Jump Judge at the Red Hills Horse Trials.
Chuck was preceded in death by his mother (Margaret); father (George); sister (Peggy); brother (George, Jr.) and grandchild (David).
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Shirley Sanders. His children Charles Jr. (Debi); Natalie Wellman (Doug); Ron (Christen) and Stephanie Gehres (Blake); plus twelve grandchildren and six great-grand children.
Visitation will be at 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, August 5th at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, Florida. Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, August 6th at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home with a burial to follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Seminole Boosters, the American Cancer Society and to Big Bend Hospice.
