Charles Edward McLaurin

Charles Edward McLaurin, aged 78, passed away peacefully on the 13th of April. Charles is survived by his wife, Pamela, sister, Vera Mae, children, Charles II, Matthew (Kerry) and Graham (Kristin) and grandchildren, Alexander, Alexis, Connor, Ryder, Lila and Piper.

Charles was born in Collins, MS to Fannie and Eddrew McLaurin. He was one of six children, Sylvester, Eula Mae, Lee, Neiameiah, and Vera Mae. Charles was recruited to Heidelberg University in 1966 from Mary Holmes College in Mississippi by Marie Pfeifer during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. While attending Heidelberg, Charles was a member of the basketball team. He was recognized for his leadership as well as becoming one of Heidelberg’s star players. In 1968, he was drafted into the US Army and shortly thereafter, he was deployed to Vietnam.

Upon his return, he was sent to West Point Military Academy in New York. While at West Point, he was a member of their traveling basketball team. One of his greatest honors was receiving the “most outstanding athlete” award by General Knowlton, commander of the US Military Academy.

After his time at West Point, he moved to Chicago Illinois with his wife Pamela. There he started his own business which he successfully ran until his retirement in 2008. In 2008, he and Pamela moved back to Tiffin where he lived out his remaining years.

There will be a prayer service held for Charles at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at Engle-Shook Funeral Home & Crematory in Tiffin. Visitation for family and friends will also be held on Wednesday, from 4:00 p.m., until the time of the prayer service. Military rites will be rendered on Wednesday, at 4:00 p.m., by the United Veterans Council. There will be no burial held at this time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Patriot Paws Service Dogs (patriotpaws.org) or Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (vvmf.org).

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