Charles Prentiss Scudder III

Charles Prentiss Scudder, III, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) U.S. Army, died Wednesday, November 16, 2011 in Columbus, Georgia. Charles Scudder was born April 6, 1932 in Washington, Indiana. He was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Charles Prentiss Scudder, Jr. of Washington, Indiana. He graduated from Washington High School in 1950 and he was a 1957 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Graveside services will be held Monday, November 21, 2011, at 11:00 am at Main Post Cemetery, Fort Benning with Full Military Honors. Reverend John Boyer, of Morningside Presbyterian Church in Columbus will be officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday, November 20, 2011, from 4-6 pm, at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary 4071 Macon Road Columbus.

He served twenty-two years active duty in various command and staff positions with tours including Germany, Korea and Vietnam. He was commissioned in the Air Defense Artillery. He transitioned to the Field Artillery with assignments in the 24th Infantry Division, Augsburg, Germany then Aid de Camp to the Seventh Corps Commander, Stuttgart, Germany. On returning to the U.S. he attended the Field Artillery Career Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and the Special Warfare School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He deployed to Vietnam with the Third Special Forces Group. Upon returning to the U.S., he taught Field Artillery Tactics in the Tactics and Combined Department. On completion of the Command and General Staff College, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, he worked with the Defense Intelligence Agency in the Scientific and Technical Intelligence Directorate in Washington, DC. He was then assigned to the Second Infantry Division, Korea. From Korea, he was assigned to the Combat Arms Training Board, Fort Benning, Georgia. His awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, U.S. and Vietnamese Airborne Wings, The Air Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and various Campaign Ribbons.

Retiring in Columbus, Charles Scudder cherished time with friends, many whom also retired from military service. He was a loving husband and grandfather who enjoyed woodworking projects. He used his engineering skills on many building projects. He and his wife, Carolyn, traveled extensively, but he most treasured time spent with family at home and at Panama City Beach, Florida. He loved the tradition of Thanksgivings spent with beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

He was a member of Morningside Presbyterian Church in Columbus since 1974. He served as a Deacon and Session member for many years. In addition he was a member of the Military Officers Association, American Legion, and the Disabled Veterans Association.

He is survived by his wife of over 50 years Carolyn Davis Scudder; daughter, Mary Jane Holder and husband, Brett; daughter, Ann Marie Hart and husband, Tom; and four grandchildren, Davis James Holder, Patrick Charles Holder, Prentiss Hoke Hart and Dana Marie Hart all of Columbus. He is survived by his brother, Robert Henry Scudder and wife, Char, of Camarillo, California. He is preceded in death by a sister Jane Scudder Turnley, of Oakland, California, in 2011. Charles is also survived by a sister-in-law Ann Thompson and her husband Bill, of Marietta, Georgia, as well as brother-in-law George Hardy, of Athens, Alabama and Chan Turnley, of Oakland, California.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Morningside Presbyterian Church, 4142 Weems Road, Columbus, Georgia 31909. Condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com