Charles, 82, died March 16, 1999, in Sun City, Arizona. He was born November 16, 1916, in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania and was a member of the Evangelical & Reform Church. Charles was drafted into Civilian Public Service in 1941 and his occupation at that time was listed as Gas Service repairman. He served in camps in Maryland and California before reporting to Camp 103 to be trained as a smokejumper in 1943.

Charles jumped the 1943 season and was discharged from CPS in 1944. He then enlisted in the Army in 1944 and was discharged in 1946. Very unusual among the CPA jumpers. No record available as to what he did after the war but married, had a son, and lived in Virginia and New Jersey.

He died while living at one of the Del Webb retirement cities in Arizona.