Charles Whitson

Charles Marion Whitson went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 23, 2017. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. A longtime resident of Hoover, he was born in Fayette County, Alabama, on October 19, 1941. He was preceded in death by his father, Silas Marion Whitson; his mother, Pearlene Whitson Gerald; and one sister, Betty Joyce Herron.

Charles is survived by his loving wife, Martha Bomar Whitson; two brothers, James Harold Whitson (Becky) of Hoover, and Marshall Whitson (Melonie) of Hayden; one sister, Sandra Melot (Tommy) of Guthrie, OK; his daughter, Gina Whitson Gamble (Jonathan) of Trussville, AL; three granddaughters, Claire, Lucy, and Sally Gamble of Trussville, AL; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Charles graduated from Walker County High School in 1960. He graduated from the University of Alabama in 1966 with a degree in Mining Engineering. He earned his MBA from Samford. He was a Professional Engineer with the State of Alabama and a Certified Mine Foreman. Charles had a long and distinguished career. He worked for Southern Electric Generating Company from 1966 to 1972. He was employed at US Steel Corporation from 1972 to 1975, then worked at Southern Company from 1975 – 1988. He owned the Green Earth Plant Shop in Vestavia Hills in the 80’s. He formed the Whitson Company in 1988. He taught economics classes at Jefferson State Community College in the early 1990s. He joined Bhate Engineering Corporation in 1997. In 2007 he began work for the State of Alabama, Department of Labor, Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Division. Charles was a member of several professional associations. He was a 50 year plus member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME), for which he served two terms as president, as well as serving on the board of directors. He was a member of the Capstone Engineering Society and also the Engineering Council of Birmingham, for which he served as president and on the board of directors. He was a longtime member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church. He was involved in the usher ministry and the singles’ ministry. He taught fourth grade Sunday School for many years and enjoyed being a counselor for children’s camp. As a leader of the prayer ministry for many years, he was devoted to praying for church and family members. He was a member of the Alabama Alumni Association, and many Saturdays you would find him on the fifty yard line, cheering on his beloved Crimson Tide. Friday nights would find him cheering on the Homewood Patriots. He was involved in the startup of the Red Mountain Park and was an enthusiast of the great outdoors, participating in a hike on the Appalachian Trail. His job allowed him to venture into the wilderness in search of old abandoned coal mines. He was an avid runner, participating in many runs, and he even completed the Vulcan Marathon at age 53. Every Christmas morning would find Charles dressed as Santa for the grandchildren and later for the nieces and nephews. Most of all, Charles loved spending time with family and friends.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 27, 2017, from 11 AM - 1 PM at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home in Hoover with the service to begin at 1 PM in the Chapel. The interment will follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, East in Trussville.

Visitation

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM ,Thursday, July 27, 2017
Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home Chapel
2701 John Hawkins Parkway Hoover, AL 35244

Funeral Service

1:00 PM ,Thursday, July 27, 2017
Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home Chapel
2701 John Hawkins Parkway Hoover, AL 35244

Interment

Thursday, July 27, 2017
Jefferson Memorial Gardens, East
1701 Gadsden Highway Trussville, AL 35173