Francis W. Charles, 93, passed peacefully Monday, December 28, 2015. The son of Harvey Charles, Sr. and Edna Johnson Charles, he was a lifelong resident of Hampton. A 1941 Hampton High graduate, he attended Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School, enlisted in the United States Navy for the duration of World War II, and became a gifted Engineering Technical Supervisor at NACA/NASA from 1948-1979. He was a member of American Legion Post 48, Warwick Moose Lodge, the CB Club of Hampton/Newport News, and an active member of the Men's Club/Phoebus United Methodist Church. For 10 years after his retirement, he enjoyed voluntarily preparing taxes for those in need. He treasured his travels with family and friends to Florida, out West, Alaska, the Caribbean, and especially Nags Head. He enjoyed dancing and savored conversation, but he doted on his family first and foremost.
Francis was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Bernice Foster Charles; parents Harvey Charles, Sr. and Edna Johnson Charles; brothers and sisters, "Betty" Worden, Robert Charles, and Harvey L. "Buddy" Charles, Jr; and a special friend, Myrtle Briggs. Survivors include his brother William Charles, sisters Florence Petterson and Judy Hill, and sister-in-law Sarah Charles; children Dianne C. Ahl (Elvin) and Danny W. Charles; grandchildren Kelly Harr (Richard) and Lance Ahl (Jennifer); great-grandchildren Lily, Ava, and Wyatt, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
If you observe God's tapestry of life, you will see his gossamer threads of frugality, efficiency, curiosity, ingenuity, loyalty, and levity . . . from the sublime to the ridiculous, he had to grow older, but he did not have to grow up. He was the life of the party, the light of our lives . . . Francis, Jitter, Daddy, Granddad, J-Bug.
The family will receive friends at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home on Saturday, January 2, 2016 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. A funeral service, officiated by his grandson Lance and wife Jennifer, will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by interment in Parklawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Phoebus United Methodist Church, 300 E. Mellen Street, Hampton, Virginia 23663.
Arrangements are by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 757-723-3191.