Charles Mock

Charles Arthur Mock shuffled off his mortal coil in his home in Pensacola, FL on the afternoon of September 25, 2021 - his wife and son remained vigilant through his suffering over the last few years in this world.

Charles was born on July 5, 1936 in New Orleans, LA to Arthur Gillis and Doris Elaine Mock. In addition to New Orleans, Charles also spent time as a young man in El Paso, TX as well as the greater Pensacola area where he served as the first crossing guard at the Allie Yniestra Elementary School and later was part of the Civil Air Patrol.

Charles’ father gave permission to the U. S. Air Force to let Charles enlist at the age of seventeen where he learned to be a jet engine mechanic, honing the many skills that he had learned at home working on automobiles, motors, farm equipment and pretty much anything that needed to be repaired - as was so much more common among that self reliant generation born to the Great Depression. During his time in the Air Force he was deployed and served as a staff sergeant during the war in Korea for which he was awarded the Korea Defense Service Medal. Charles followed his active duty in the Air Force with four years as a reservist.

After returning home he worked as a lineman for Gulf Power; a journeyman metal machinist, he taught machine shop at Pensacola Junior College; and was a chief design modification engineer of Naval trainers for the Department of Defense. Charles was instrumental in modifying naval training equipment for the safety of pilots in training as well as having worked on ejection systems for the safety and survival of existing naval pilots. Perhaps the most interesting task that Charles had was being a part of the team who designed and manufactured the the parachutes used for reentry by Mercury and Gemini space capsules.

Charles was immersed in the Baptist faith in Pensacola and later served dutifully at the First Christian Church in Pensacola where his father-in-law, J. Clyde Lawder, was minister. A hard working man, Charles would often go to work during the day on base at NAS or Ellison or Saufley, come home to work on the house that he built for his family, and teach class at PJC at night… a real example to his children and grandchildren of the value of having a strong work ethic.

Charles is survived by his wife of 61 years, Eulalie Catherine aged 88 years; his daughters, Catherine Elaine and Charlita Ann; his son, Charles Chandler; Catherine’s son, Christian Alban; Charlita’s children, Alexandra Meghan, Nicholas Brandon and Serena Victoria; and Chandler’s daughter Christina Gabriella.