I awoke from a dream this morning. In the dream, we reminisced the good days and how we came to be friends through our passion for horror and sci-fi movies. We joked about the time Mud, you, and Lew came to visit me in Canada. You warned me that they would call you “Bubba” and I was to do my best never to breathe that word in your presence. 

We talked about our Halloween weekend get togethers in Salem and Ann Arbor. We talked about the time you came to visit me in Nova Scotia. It was a long overdue chat. 

At the end of the conversation, I told you that I planned to keep my promise to visit you in Alabama, maybe even this Halloween. That’s when you looked me in the eyes, smiled, and said, “Sorry, Mikee, but I’m gone.” 

I instantly woke up and googled your name, hoping it was just a dream. But there you were, gone in August 2021. 

We went separate ways all those years ago: I got married, you moved back home, and our conversations grew shorter and shorter. But I always kept you close to mind and heart. You were, after all, one of the most brilliant, gentlest, kindest friends I had ever had. We couldn’t have been more opposite people, but my love for you stemmed from a trust and passion for the things that made us unique, yet different. Horror movies being true ultimate connector. 

Charles, I’m sorry I only found out now of your passing. We would have last spoken a few months before that day, and honestly I have so many questions to ask you. 

Yes, you are “gone.” But you’ll never be far away. You occupy a big piece of my heart, and that, my friend, is where I plan to keep you. 

Thank you for giving me the gift of your friendship. You are forever cherished, remembered, and missed. 

Love always,

Mikee 

Like so many of his friends, I was absolutely shocked and saddened to hear that Charles “Bubba” had passed away. I was just chuckling over a witty Facebook post the weekend before. I got to know Bubba when we were in the Independent Studies Seminar (ISS) class at Capitol Heights Jr. High. What a funny, kind person he was. I was in one of his horror movies he made back then and had such a great time. I wish I had been able to renew our friendship after moving back to Montgomery. I will miss his posts which amused, horrified (those jellied casseroles!) or made his readers sit up and take notice. Little Bert stole all our hearts as Bubba shared his sweet little face with us all . Thank you, God, for sharing Bubba with us . 

Charles was a kind person and had a good heart. He was a good teacher and cared about his students.  Rest In Peace, Charles.

No photos here.  I knew Charles as 'Bubba.'  I know he didn't like that but that is what we called him....and he answered!!  He never let me cheat off of him, he only tried to help me figure stuff out.  And it worked!!  My goodness, I can't believe this.  It really hurts my soul.  Boy Howdy....I am crying now.  Bless you friend.


I am so sorry to hear about Charles. I tried to get in contact with him over the years, but could make no connection.  He was Writing Center Director in 1997 when I was a student. As Writing Center Director then at Washtenaw Community College (WCC), Charles hired me as a tutor at the Writing Center after I was recommended by my English instructor. I worked as a tutor for five years and then became faculty. Working at the Writing Center was the beginning of my WCC career. 

Charles knew that the Writing Center at the college was my favorite place. No matter how stressful things became with classes, etc., he knew that once I walked into the Writing Center,I would relax. It was that type of place and still is.

Charles was my friend. We kept tabs on each others families. My son was five years old when he met Charles, and Charles' mother, Mrs. Ruth Avinger, who was visiting him. We all went to lunch together and had a wonderful time. My son loved dinosaurs when he was a little boy and Charles gave him model of a Triceratop (my son's favorite dinosaur). My son is now 29 years old and he still remembers how kind Charles was to him. Mrs. Avinger sent me a scarf that was so colorful. It was just lovely.

He did love his horror movies. Knowing that I was not a horror movie fan (not at all), he would always offer to share movies he would show his students, saying "Margaret, I have the best movie for you to watch on a stormy night. Of course when you watch it, make sure you turn off the lights." Then, he would smile and say, "This movie is really good. On a scale of 1 to 5, it's about a 3 1/2." His Science Fiction and Horror class was one of the most popular classes at WCC.

Sandra. I did not have the opportunity to meet you but Charles would talk about you so lovingly. He would always smile when speaking of you. Our prayers are with you.

Sincerely,
Margaret

M. Givens-Green, Instructor
English Faculty
Washtenaw Community College

Charles was great person, teacher and mentor. He will be greatly missed. 

Though I won't be able to make the memorial in person, I will be lighting a candle today in memory of my dear friend, Charles.

Like others, Charles and I met at WCC when I had returned to college to pursue my studies. Charles got a kick out of the fact that we were the same age, with him being the teacher and I, the student. We soon learned that we had many common interests and became fast friends. Of course, we especially enjoyed discussing horror films and TV shows like the Walking Dead, but our friendship included hours long conversations about numerous topics including his dog Bert, health topics, politics,  friends, and food. 

Charles was compassionate, gentle, kind and knowledgeable. And yes, he had a brilliant sense of humor. He will be greatly missed. 

All the way back in 2014, I was a student of Mr. Avinger’s Horror and Literature class at Washtenaw Community College. I recall Mr. Avinger being calm and polite, and the class being memorable. Although I haven’t spent time with Mr. Avinger outside of the classroom, I’m certain that he’d be an amazing person to get to know. I’m extremely disheartened about Mr. Avinger’s passing and wish him a peaceful rest. 

Charles had a profoundly positve impact in my life. Without his mentoring and friendship, I would not have become a college level English Instructor. We shared a love of the horror genre in literature and film as well as an appreciation of outstanding writing.
I personally observed his kind, gentle interactions with students over the years, and I know first hand I was not the only student he helped.
As a friend, he was equally encouraging and his wit was brilliant. It's hard to believe I will not hear that soft, distinct voice on the phone ever again.  I will miss him terribly, as I know many others will as well. 
I am sending my most sincere condolences to his sister and his beloved close friends.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Ingram-Wilson
  

Charles held a very unique place for every student who took his horror literature and horror film classes at Washtenaw Community College, not only because the exploration into a new cultural world was fascinating, but also because he was very kind and accepting towards students who embraced more unorthodox interests and forms of learning - he was definitely my favorite teacher in community college, and I continued to talk to Charles years after I went to higher levels of education. He was the only person I could ever talk to in detail about Vertigo - no else I know even cares. The world is facing a great loss without Charles to lead us down the path of obscure culture.

Twenty-one years. That's how long this gentle, complex, and loving man and I were friends. Somehow, it seems so much longer. We called each other siblings: I was the bossy older sister; he was the kid brother. We could talk for hours about anything, but we particularly enjoyed dissecting episodes of The Walking Dead. We texted each other during episodes with questions, comments, and gripes. The world is a darker place without his shining light. You will not be forgotten, Charles. You were loved by so many. I hope you knew that.

I'll miss you so much Charles.  All the in-jokes we shared together (the small bull) and all the VHS tapes we traded back and forth back in 1999.  All the times we ate at the Broken Egg in Ann Arbor and watching you fall asleep while we watched whatever horror movie we agreed on.  I still have all your voluminous correspondence which I will treasure forever.  Rest in peace, my friend.

Charles and I grew up together from age 5 (yes, our friendship spanned 53 years, as he reminded me just two weeks ago).  We lived a block apart on the same street, and were inseparable well into high school and beyond… so many afternoons as a young child,  I would detour to his house and spend 60-90 minutes, whether it was musing over our daily lives, looking at magazines, books, a short story he was working on, or even watching those store-bought 8mm 3-minute silent clips of his favorite horror movies.  (This should surprise no one.) Then after supper and homework was done, the conversations would continue over the phone until bedtime.  As we grew up, so did the circle of friends.  But even as our lives inevitably diverged, we stayed in touch.  There was no one else quite like him, and I consider myself deeply fortunate to have been a friend of his.

Charles you will be missed dearly.  May your memory be a blessing to all who knew you my friend.  You loved traveling so I am sharing this fun picture from your trip to Germany when you came in 1990 to visit me.   I will always remember you.  Lovingly, Alesia 

I always looked forward to Charles' visits, watching horror movies and dining out.  He was a perfect gentleman.  I enjoyed his posts on Facebook of food, some delicious looking and some frightful.  He will be greatly missed.

I was on Charles's search committee when he was hired to teach college English at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1992. We became buddies for life. Charles was a wonderful friend, witty, kind, perceptive, loyal. We supported each other through a good many joys and challenges. It's a tribute to Charles how many devoted friends he made among his colleagues and students who will all be mourning his loss. Life won't be as rich without Charles to share it with. Farewell, beloved friend!

I first met Charles when we were  both English instructors at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, MI. Sharing a mutual interest in literature and horror movies, Charles and I team-taught a class together for one semester and have been close friends for about thirty years. I have many wonderful memories of our times together in Ann Arbor, as well as his visits with Nicki and me in New Jersey and New Orleans. Charles was one of the kindest people I know and was loved not only by family and friends but also by his former students.  

OBITUARY

Charles Lewis Avinger, Jr.

January 10, 1963 – August 22, 2021

Leak Memory Chapel

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