Charles was born March 23, 1925, in Washington, DC.

He was married to Thelma C. Dowling (Tillie) of Washington, DC, his loving wife of 64 years ( married June 2, 1945.).

Survived by his wife and four Children – Barbara, (Tim) Whitmer, Mary, (Jerry) Peters, Christine Bell, Chuck & Carol Bell, and five Grandchildren.

Charles served in the Navy during WWII, aboard the U.S.S. Laffey – a Destroyer that fought courageously in European and South Pacific conflicts and was immortalized for its tenacity in battle by the book " The Ship That would Not Die ".

After the War he studied pre-law at George Washington University and then graduated from The American University – Washington School of Law.

He practiced Law in Rockville, Maryland and served on the Montgomery County School Board. He also became the first Assignment Clerk in the Montgomery County Circuit Court system.

In the early 1970's he formed the Annapolis Law practice of Bell and Ragland, on Franklin Street in Annapolis, Maryland. He and his wife loved the Annapolis area and over the next twenty-five years resided in Annapolis, West River and Eastport.

After retiring to Naples, Florida and then Bethany Beach, Delaware, he and his wife resided most recently at Oyster Cove in Grasonville, Maryland where they could continue to enjoy the Chesapeake Bay area as well as their children and grandchildren.

Charles was born March 23, 1925, in Washington, DC.

He was married to Thelma C. Dowling (Tillie) of Washington, DC, his loving wife of 64 years ( married June 2, 1945.).

Survived by his wife and four Children – Barbara, (Tim) Whitmer, Mary, (Jerry) Peters, Christine Bell, Chuck & Carol Bell, and five Grandchildren.

Charles served in the Navy during WWII, aboard the U.S.S. Laffey – a Destroyer that fought courageously in European and South Pacific conflicts and was immortalized for its tenacity in battle by the book " The Ship That would Not Die ".

After the War he studied pre-law at George Washington University and then graduated from The American University – Washington School of Law.

He practiced Law in Rockville, Maryland and served on the Montgomery County School Board. He also became the first Assignment Clerk in the Montgomery County Circuit Court system.

In the early 1970's he formed the Annapolis Law practice of Bell and Ragland, on Franklin Street in Annapolis, Maryland. He and his wife loved the Annapolis area and over the next twenty-five years resided in Annapolis, West River and Eastport.

After retiring to Naples, Florida and then Bethany Beach, Delaware, he and his wife resided most recently at Oyster Cove in Grasonville, Maryland where they could continue to enjoy the Chesapeake Bay area as well as their children and grandchildren.