Charles Edward Utley

Charles Utley was born January 22, 1935, in Durham, North Carolina. He was the son of the late Frank and Janie Utley and the youngest of 5 boys. He departed this life on March 29, 2022. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Cheryl; and four brothers, Jacob, Kelly, Carl, and Julian.

In the Durham Public Schools, Charles attended Russell Elementary; Whitted Middle School; and Hillside High School, graduating in 1953. He later attended Newark State College (now Kean University) and Rutgers University.

Charles was an army paratrooper and served with the 101st and the 82nd Airborne Division, completing more than 80 parachute jumps and became a Senior Jumper. He received 3 good conduct awards and an honorable discharge in 1964 after serving in Japan, Okinawa, Germany, and Korea.

After his military discharge, Charles was employed by the Job Corps in Kilmer, New Jersey. He worked as a group leader and was subsequently promoted to Behavior Control Specialist , Supervisor of Behavior Control and then Supervisor of Group Living. After the Job Corps closed in 1968, Charles was hired as the Relocation Site Manager and Property Manager for Plainfield, New Jersey. Charles and his staff relocated 146 families and arranged for demolition of older substandard homes in order to make way for new construction through a HUD Program.

Charles was employed with AT&T where more than half of his career in Human Resources. He was responsible for human and community relations. He visited various campuses, recruiting candidates with Master and PHD degrees to work as members of the technical staff at AT&T Bell Laboratories. In 1994 Charles received the coveted AT&T Achievers Club Award in San Diego, California, for exemplary performance. Charles retired as a sales executive with 30 years of service with AT&T.

Wherever his assignment took him, Charles involved himself in local community initiatives. He gave generously of his time, talents and energy. He was involved with affordable housing in New Jersey, voter registration. He served 2 terms on the Board of Directors of Lehigh County United Way. He also chaired the nominating committee for the Board of Directors of the Lehigh County Community College Foundation.

Charles had many interests. He took skiing lessons during his assignment in Denver, Colorado, with AT&T and became an intermediate skier. He skied on the slopes of Aspen, Vail, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain and Breckenridge. He was an avid amateur boxer. He was aggressive, fearless, and always ready for spirited conversations about politics and sports. He was an avid reader of newspapers, magazines, and novels. He recited poetry from Longfellow, Edgar Allen Poe, and Robert Frost. He loved stray cats and fed them in his backyard. He also enjoyed golfing, traveling and working in his yard. He was an enthusiastic Duke and Philadelphia Eagles fan.

He traveled extensively in Asia and Europe. On a trip to Paris in 2017 he visited the Lourve and Monte's Garden. He also took an emotional trip to the beaches of Normandy and the American Cemetery at Colleville where more than 9,000 American service members are buried. He held back tears when he saw the headstones bearing the names of paratroopers from the 101st and 82nd Airborne division of which he had served.

Charles and his wife, Marion, moved from New Jersey to Chesterfield, Virginia, in 2000. He worshiped with his wife at First Union Baptist Church and continued enjoying his many interests.

Charles leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Marion; daughter, Iris; his sons, Chandler and Bernard; goddaughter, Josette; six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. He will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of life will be held Tuesday, April 5, 2022 Mimms Chapel at 10:30AM. Interment VA Veterans Cemetery.