Freddie Charles

Freddie Ray Charles was born on December 19, 1946 in Statesville, NC to Freddie and Ruby (Holt) Miller. His father died when he was 7 years old. His mom married John Charles, who adopted Freddie and his brother Mike. He graduated in 1965 from South Rowan High School in Mooresville, NC. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served his country from 1965 – 1969 and served during the Vietnam War.
On July 28, 1967, Fred was united in marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Nancy Braswell at St. Enoch Church in Mooresville, NC. He attended UNC-Charlotte and earned a BS Degree in Engineering. He started his career at IBM in NC and was transferred to Rochester, MN in 1982. He took an early retirement at age 51. He then did consulting work with the State of Minnesota. He finished his career at the Mayo Clinic and retired in 2008. Fred and Nancy then moved to their lake home in Alexandria.
Fred was an active member at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria, and enjoyed volunteering for Habitat of Humanity, and the Outreach Food Shelf. He enjoyed cooking, playing tennis, fishing, and playing bridge. Most of all Fred enjoyed time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Fred died on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN at the age of 70. He is survived by his wife, Nancy of Alexandria; son, Jeffrey (Kimberly) Charles of Charleston, SC; daughter, Amanda (Matthew) Robinson of Morton, MN; grandchildren, Ryan and Justin Charles, and Kaylee, Kody, and Tyler Robinson; brothers, Michael (Judy) Charles of Kannapolis, NC and William (Karen) Charles of Salisbury, NC; sisters, Jenny (Ricky) Poole and Jeana Poole both of Salisbury, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Reverend Alicia Hilding officiating. Interment was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Military Honors were provided by Alexandria American Legion Post 87, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936, Vietnam Veterans Rifle Squad Chapter 235, and the U.S. Marine Honor Guard.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at the Calvary Lutheran Church with Reverend Alicia Hilding officiating in Alexandria. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Inurnment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Memorials are preferred to Toys for Tots, Habitat for Humanity, The Douglas County Outreach Food Shelf, and Calvary Lutheran Church.