Charles David Hargrove

Charles “Charlie” David Hargrove, 86, of Deland, Florida, was called home by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 22, 2015, while at the Halifax Health- Hospice in Orange City, Florida. Born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to David and Bertha Hargrove, he lived much of his adult life deployed throughout the world, and upon retirement from the U.S. Army in 1970, settled with his wife, Ruby, in Freeport, New York, to raise their three children. His final years were spent in Deland, Florida. As the youngest of four children left fatherless by the untimely death of his father, Charlie felt duty-bound to ease the financial burden of his widowed mother and joined the merchant marines in 1943. During World War II, at age 16, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in the Pacific. Despite his youth, his commanding officers recognized his strong leadership and intellectual abilities and selected him to attend the Seventh Army Noncommissioned Officers Academy. Assignments which ensued resulted in rapid promotion to drill sergeant, sergeant, and, ultimately, to master sergeant during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. Aside from his leadership skills, Charlie was recognized by his superiors as an excellent marksman and was selected to be a member of the U.S. Army Rifle Team where he won numerous awards and medals and was chosen to represent the U.S. Army in the 1962 Olympics. Upon retirement from the U.S. Army in 1970, following a 25-year career of honorable and distinguished military service to his country, Charlie continued to heed the call to serve- this time in a civilian capacity- and became a fiduciary counselor with the Veterans Administration in New York City. He held this position of protecting the financial assets of disabled veterans for 15 years before finally deciding to focus his full attention and devote his energies to his beloved family and neglected hobbies. Charlie was a sports enthusiast and avid fisherman who loved cooking, sewing, carpentry, and leather crafting. Gregarious and fun-loving, people were drawn to him. His greatest love, however, was being surrounded by his family. He delighted in the longevity of his 64-year marriage to his wife, Ruby, and was proud of his three children and grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Ruby; son, Charles (Dee) Hargrove of Florida; two daughters, Tammy Barros of Maryland and J’melle Hargrove of Georgia; two granddaughters, Leenadria (Obiara) Ubannwa of Maryland and Rasheeda Ali of Georgia; great-grandson, Austin Ubannwa of Maryland, Charlie is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family members among whom are nephews Nieem Rhem and Vernon Rhem of New York; Cedric (Jula) Young of Georgia and Douglas (Alice) Young of Maryland; nieces, Tonza (Clinton)Watson of North Carolina and Vernell (Greg) Reed of New Jersey. One of Charlie’s most profound losses in his life was his great-grandson, Nicholas Ubannwa, who predeceased him in 2014 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Charlie will be remembered by his family as a dutiful husband, an adored father and grandfather, and a wonderful mentor. As Charlie approached his “final tour of duty,” he fought a valiant fight with the dignity befitting his illustrious military career eased by the loving care and support of the Halifax Health- Hospice. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the professional, compassionate staff for their assistance throughout this most difficult time. A celebration of the life of Charles David Hargrove will be held on a date to be determined. Inurnment will be held in the Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made in his memory to Halifax Health Hospice, 876 Saxon Boulevard, Orange City, Florida 32763 www.hovf.org or Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida, 1020 North Orlando Avenue, Suite 100, Maitland, Florida 32751 [email protected]