Col (Ret) Cecil Charles, faithful husband, father, officer and friend, died peacefully at age 87 on July 2nd, 2022 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Cecil lived a dedicated life of service for the U.S Air Force, the Gideons International ministry and for his family. Though he will be greatly missed, the joy he is experiencing now with our heavenly Father and with his beloved wife Tipi and much-loved daughter Leigh can be a comfort to us all.
Cecil was born to Donald and Ruth Charles on Christmas Day, 1934, in Spartanburg, SC. A graduate of Hargrave Military Academy and the University of South Carolina, he served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years as a tactical missile operator, weapons controller and space operator, and he led Air Force units three separate times in different parts of the world as unit commander. His favorite saying about those command assignments was “If you take care of your people, they will take care of the mission!”
After retirement from the Air Force, Cecil served as a very active member of the Gideons for over 35 years in various roles including State President for Colorado, Austin Bluffs Camp President and as the state and local training lead, travelling the state of Colorado regularly in support of the ministry with Tipi, who often sang and ministered to the members and Auxiliary during those trips. During his time with the Gideons, he also travelled with and supported Tipi’s music ministry in Colorado and neighboring states; they were an inseparable pair!
Cecil and Tipi were married in 1959 in Syracuse, NY, and had two children: Kyle, who survives and followed Cecil into a career in the Air Force, and Leigh, who for 20 years was a flight attendant with American Airlines and a resident of Dallas, TX. Like her Mom, Leigh loved to sing, and Cecil loved hearing that amazing duet…if you ever heard them sing together, you know just how special that was! They also had three grandchildren: Shannon, Melody and Luke, who Cecil loved to be with and could not stop talking about whenever there was an opportunity to do so. To be sure, he also loved his friends, his Air Force family, racquetball, ballroom dancing and the Denver Broncos. Cecil’s was a life well-lived for others, family and country. Rest in peace “Cec”.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 18th at New Life Church’s World Prayer Center, 11025 Voyager Parkway, Co Spgs, CO 80921, with a reception there to follow. A burial service with full military honors is scheduled for later in the week for family at Fort Logan National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Gideons Intl (www.gideons.org/donate).
Steve Young
8 Jul 2022The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for Col Charles’ 24 years of distinguished service to our country in the Air Force. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693 or raobuckley@gmail.com. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley SFB RAO
Wanda Torres
10 Jul 2022Cecil, you will be missed! Harry and Wanda Torres
Connie Baker Whatley
12 Jul 2022Cecil, you were a wonderful, kind man. I am comforted to know that in death you were received by so many loving family members and friends.
Rest in peace Cecil, until we meet again!
Much love,
Connie and family
Steve and Chris Harget
14 Jul 2022Such a wonderful and faithful friend you have been to us Cecil! We will miss you greatly and even though we know you are “home” and loving it immensely, we are missing you! Rest In Peace dear friend! Our love always!! Steve and Chris Harget
Anonymous
22 Jul 2022I AM MISSING A VERY DEAR AND LONG TIME FRIEND.
WITH LOVE,
ANNE HUFFORD
Ellen and Ron Hodgen
28 Jul 2022Our family is so moved to learn of Cecil’s graduation to Heaven. We know he is home with Tipi and his savior. He was a superb leader and friend. The world is dimmer now without him. His “take care of the mission” spirit lives within us.