Charles G. Witherington OBITUARY
WITHERINGTON, CHARLES G., Charles Gordon Witherington passed away on Monday, October 10, 2005. He was born December 6, 1929 to parents Thomas Watson and Mary Louise, in Brunswick, GA. In 1934, his family moved to Orlando, where he attended school, including Orlando High School (currently Howard Middle School). Charles went on to graduate from the University of Florida (B.S., with high honors, 1951; M.S., 1953) with degrees in entomology. At UF, he became a Sigma Chi brother and a devoted Gator fan. Following a short stint as Director of Mosquito Control in St. Lucie County, he was called for service in Korea. There he served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force medical epidemiology flight. Returning to the U.S., Charles was stationed at Camp Detrick, Frederick, MD, where he met Jean Olmstead. They were married June 16, 1956, shortly after Charles took a position at the Medical Entomology Lab in Vero Beach, FL. His research at the Lab was at the forefront of mosquito control using impoundments and played a large role in making coastal Florida a habitable place. Charles left the Vero Lab in 1959 to work in the pest control business. He and Jean had three sons before Charles began his own pest control business in 1977 (Falcon Termite and Pest Control, in Orlando). By 1979 he was also instructing at Valencia Community College in pest control technology. In 1992, the family business was handed over to Charles’ son Louis, while Charles continued consulting on pest control issues. Between 1987 and 2005 he and Jean enjoyed retirement at their home on Lake Hendon in Narcoosee. Charles was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Sons of Confederate Veterans (Jacob Summerlin Camp), Central Florida Selective Service Board, Florida A&M University Advisory Council, Florida Entomological Society, Entomological Society of America, and the National Rifle Association. He was certified as a public sanitarian and in four levels of pest control technology. Charles had great interest in the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, and wildlife. He was an avid collector of firearms and had a keen interest in history. Charles is survived by his wife, Jean; by his sons, Paul Thomas, Blair Ernest, and John Louis; his stepmother, Edna Witherington; and by grandchildren, Josh, Amber, Ian, Jesse, Ashley, Rylee, and Sidney. The paths Charles took left a legacy that is positive, loving, and broadly cast. All those who knew him celebrate his life. A celebration service will be held Friday, October 14, at 10:30AM at the Presbyterian Church of the Lakes, 4700 Lincoln Ave., Orlando 32819 (phone 407-291-2886). The church is just off Conroy-Windermere Road between South Apopka-Vineland Road and South Hiawassee Road. A reception to follow will be 5 min. east at 511 Jennifer Lane. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted to the St. Cloud Heritage Museum, PO Box 700057, St. Cloud, Florida 34770-0057.
