After an active and fruitful life Charlie McCanless passed away on July 3, 2022 at the age of 94.
Charlie was born and grew up in Canton, GA, son of Max and Ruth McCanless, grandson of E.A and Hattie McCanless who lived next door which made eating two breakfasts each morning an easy accomplishment for young Charlie. His many adventures, and misadventures, in and around Canton are legendary, at least to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Upon completion of High School, the last two years of which were spent at Baylor Academy in Chattanooga, TN, Charlie went south to Atlanta to study engineering at Georgia Tech. Upon graduation he served his two year ROTC commitment training Air Force pilots on the use of radar. This inspired him to go back to Tech to get a second degree, this one in Electrical Engineering. After working in the DC area for an electronic development company he moved to Orlando, Florida where he had a long career designing guidance systems for Lockheed-Martin.
Charlie was married to the lovely Dorothy Oates from Brunswick, GA. Together they raised three children: Charles Walter, married to Annie, Carolyn Ruth married to John Caplan, and Mary Angelyn married to Ed Lefler. They survive their parents as do eight grandchildren: Marie (Peter), Margaret, Charlie (Keelie), Emily, Wesley (Ashton), Chris, Abigail and Eliza. Newest members of the family are two great grandchildren: Walter and Calvin.
Charlie brought intelligence, imagination and love to everything he did. He and his wife Dot envisioned and developed the Harbour Island neighborhood in Edgewood doing much of the labor themselves. Charlie’s commitment to Christ and his church at First Presbyterian included service as a deacon and an elder, working with High School youth as an advisor and teacher, and computerizing the church roles using some of the first punch card style computers in the area. Perhaps it is fitting that Westminster Towers should have been Charlie’s last residence as he served on the First Presbyterian Church committee that first started and built Westminster Towers many years ago. Charlie, an Eagle Scout himself, was involved in Scouting with his children and was proud to teach all scouts how to cook a breakfast of bacon and eggs over a fire in a paper bag.
Grateful thanks to Charlie and Dot’s many friends who have given so much support and encouragement to them both, especially during these last years. Your friendship meant the world to them. Heartfelt thanks to all at Westminster Towers who cared for Charlie. And special gratitude to Fernando Lopez and Jeff Guillaume, the two most loving and capable caregivers ever!
A celebration of Charlie’s life and eternal life will be held at Orlando’s First Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am on Friday, July 22, 2022.