Charles Philip Lott

Our dear father passed to eternal life with his Savior Jesus Christ on December 27, 2016, at Sparrow Hospital. Charlie was born October 9, 1919, in Kokomo, IN, to Charles S. and Opal (Reed) Lott. He started his school years in Mishawaka, then South Bend, IN. At age 14 he earned Eagle Rank in the Boy Scouts of America. In 1935, the family moved to Waterville, ME, due to the Great Depression. He graduated from Waterville High School in 1938. He entered Georgia Tech University in 1940 to study civil engineering. In 1941, he dropped out to move to Detroit to work as a draftsman in war production. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the US. Army, achieving the rank of Tech 5th Grade Corporal in the 533rd Engineering Boat & Shore Regiment, Co. A, 3rd Platoon, LCM 11. He served in the Philippine Campaign, in 'MacArthur's Navy." He was honorably discharged in 1945, entered Purdue University on the G.I. Bill, married Helen Oberg in Detroit on October 26, 1946. He graduated with honors from Purdue in 1948 with a civil engineering degree. The family moved to Jacksonville, FL, in 1952 where Charlie worked as a consulting engineer until 1958 when they moved to East Lansing. MI. He worked for the Michigan State Highway Dept. as a bridge designer until retiring in 1985. In East Lansing, Charlie and Helen raised their 5 children, he was scout master of BSA Troop 12, a long-time member of the Meridian-East Lansing Lions Club, a long-time member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served on council, taught Sunday school, was usher and prayer assistant. Charlie delighted in walking the Mackinac Bridge every Labor Day for 40+ years. He was a voracious reader, and liked to calculate numbers and work puzzles. He was a dedicated family man who loved take his family on summer vacations around the country. He was a proud descendant of a Revolutionary War soldier and a union Civil War soldier.

Charlie was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Reed; sister, Lois; wife, Helen; and son, Lester. He is survived by children, Jim, Jane, Carolyn, and Walter (wife Nita); grandson, Justin; great-granddaughter, Kaydence; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

The family gratefully acknowledges his long-time personal physician Dr. Mark Ensberg, and recent caregivers nurse Char and aide Jean.

Funeral services 11 am, Friday at Grace Lutheran Church, 528 West Martin Luthar King, Blvd, Lansing with visitation 1 hour prior.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 528 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Lansing, MI 48915., or the Lions of Michigan Foundation, 5730 Executive Dr., Lansing, MI 48911.

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Chapel. Online condolences maybe made at www.greastlansing.com