Warren Gill Charters

Warren Gill Charters was born on December 23rd, 1914, in Crestline, Ohio. He was the single child to Harry Edgar and Laura Evaline Charters. After his dad, a brakeman for the Pennsylvania Railroad, died at age 4 from a tragic rail accident, his mom and he moved to Huntington, Indiana. Warren grew up in Huntington and after graduating from Huntington High School in 1932 worked a variety of jobs during the depression and WWII. One was the Dodge Plant in Chicago, that manufactured 18,413 engines for B-29s during WWII.

In 1944, he attended George Williams College in Chicago, Illinois and in 1946 he attended Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Warren graduated from Springfield College in 1947 with a major in Physical Administration and a minor in YMCA Professional Studies.

While at Springfield College, Warren met Lois Closson, who was attending Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. At an inter-college square dance their 65-year love story began. After getting married their first home was in Hyde Park, Massachusetts where Warren worked with the YMCA.

In 1953, they moved to California and lived in Los Angeles, Norwalk and eventually Fullerton, CA. Warren was highly active in the YMCA. His first job in California was a director for the downtown Los Angeles YMCA. After receiving a master’s degree from Cal State University, Los Angeles, in Physical Education, he began a robust teaching career teaching science, English and physical education at Artesia High School. He coached basketball and other sports. One of the highlights of his basketball coaching career was having John Wooden speak at their awards banquet. He eventually moved on to start the ABC School District’s first adult continuation school.

Gil’s true love was golf and everything about it. Because he and Lois were both in education, it allowed them to have 3-4-week family vacations in the summer, including golf outings and camping at various beach campgrounds throughout California and Oregon.

Gil retired in 1975 when he and Lois moved to Oceanside, CA to live in a retirement community called Oceana. While in Oceana, Gil worked part-time for the US Census.

After they moved to Oceana, they had the opportunity to travel throughout the United States, Europe, China, and South America. When Gil was not traveling with Lois or being with family, he enjoyed crafting and painting.

Warren was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Lois. He is survived by; three children, Richard, Harry and Thomas, two daughters-in-laws, Pam and Karen, six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 13th at Oceanside First Presbyterian Church, 2001 S. El Camino Real, at 10:00 a.m. with a reception to follow.