Obituary for Charles S. Douglas Jr. Charles S. Douglas Jr., Korean War veteran, beloved member of his community, died December 11, 2018. He was 88. He was born in Bronx, NY on April 23, 1930 to Charles S. Douglas Sr. and Ellen Douglas (DeBattiste).
He graduated from Stuyvesant High School in New York City in 1947. He received a Bachelor of Science of Industrial Management degree from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1951. Upon graduation from Georgia Tech, Charlie faithfully served his country as 1st Lieutenant in the Korean War from 1952 to 1953.
He was an Army Infantry Platoon Leader and Company Commander seeing heavy combat in outposts Dale and Westview, Pork Chop Hill, and Old Baldy. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Korean Service Medal. Charlie’s memoir, Korea Remembered – 50 Years Later, was featured in The Graybeards, a publication of the Korean War Veterans Association, and his oral history interview for the Congressman C.W. Young Veterans History Project is memorialized in the Library of Congress.
Charlie was a resident of Meriden, CT from 1966 to 2006. Charlie worked over 50 years in the insurance industry mostly as an Independent Insurance Agent. He was President of The Gardner-Kirby Corp.
having served that firm for 30 years. His knowledge, integrity, and dedication were admired and appreciated by his colleagues and customers alike. Charlie was active in many charitable organizations and his community.
He was involved with the Greater Meriden Chamber of Commerce and served as head of the Town Criers for over 10 years. He was Chapter Chairman of the American Red Cross and facilitated the annual fund raising efforts of the United Way. He was a past President of the Meriden Kiwanis Club.
He spearheaded the Walter Deptula Public Speaking and Essay Contest. He served as Lay Leader at the First United Methodist Church of Meriden. He donated over 104 pints of blood in his lifetime.
In his free time, he enjoyed a competitive game of volleyball and playing tennis with his friends. Charlie enjoyed winters in Indian Rocks Beach, FL since 1988. Charlie’s greatest love was his family.
He was a devoted husband and father who in every thought put others before himself. His kindness extended well beyond his immediate family. He was passionate about Georgia Tech football and everything sports related.
He loved organizing reunions as well as Super Bowl and Kentucky Derby parties. More than anything else, he valued bringing family and friends together to create cherished memories. Charlie was predeceased by his beloved wife of 51 years, Glenda Adams Douglas.
He is survived by three daughters, Lori Lipka (Stanley) of Wallingford, CT, Susan Greenvall (Roland) of Stony Creek, CT, Sarah Douglas Johnson (Robert) of Indian Rocks Beach, FL, and one son, David C. Douglas of Garner, NC. He has 7 grandchildren – David C. Douglas Jr., Kelly Douglas, Diana Douglas, Jeffery Douglas, Stanley Andrew Lipka III, Benjamin Greenvall, and Samuel Greenvall. Charlie was predeceased by his daughter, Lisa Douglas, his sister, Isabelle Koval and his brother, Stanley Douglas.
Charlie also leaves his cat Riley who has been his constant companion for 18 years. Charlie’s family will receive relatives and friends at the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home at 88 East Main Street, Meriden, CT, on Sunday, December 16 from 3 pm – 6 pm. There will be a celebration of life service on Monday, December 17 at 10 am at the First United Methodist Church, 159 East Main Street, Meriden, CT.
Everyone is asked to meet directly at church. A graveside service with military honors will follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First United Methodist Church, Meriden, CT or Calvary Episcopal Church, 1615 1st Street, Indian Rocks Beach, FL.
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