Charles Elmo Aton

ATON, CHARLES ELMO, 91, retired insurance executive, passed away November 17, 2013.

Charles Elmo Aton was born October 22, 1922 in Utica, KY, a farming community west of Owensboro, to William Graves Aton and Christine Beatrice Wagner Aton. He was the second son of seven children.

Charlie's father died of tuberculosis when Charlie was ten. His mother moved the family to Louisville, and placed the children in orphanages so that she could work. Charlie and his brothers lived at St. Thomas Orphanage for four years.

He graduated St. Xavier High School in 1941 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He trained as a bombardier, and served as first lieutenant on B-24 bombers in the Eighth Air Force, 93rd Bomb Group, stationed at Hardwick Airfield, England.

Charlie was injured on his tenth mission when his plane crashed in southern England on May 12, 1944, after sustaining serious damage from enemy fire. He spent two years recovering at Nichols General Hospital in Louisville.

He married St. Matthews native Roseanne Bauer at Holy Trinity Church on May 12, 1945. After 58 years together, the family lost Roseanne to cancer on November 16, 2003. Ten years and one day later, on November 17, 2013, Charlie lost his last battle.

Charlie's career as an independent insurance broker began with Miller & Scholtz Insurance Agency. He became co-owner of Harris & Co., served as senior vice president of A&A Insurance Brokers, and retired as senior vice president of Alexander & Alexander Insurance Group. He was active in the Jaycees and the St. Matthews Rotary Club.

He and Roseanne were avid golfers, and members of Big Spring Country Club for 46 years.

They are survived by their three sons, Randy, Jim, and David Aton; and their three grandchildren, Jennifer, Adam, and Audrey Aton. Their family and their many life-long friends held them in the highest esteem.

Charlie asked that his remains be cremated and interred with Roseanne's ashes at his mother's grave site in Zachary Taylor Cemetery.

On Wednesday, December 18, 2013 the family will be receiving visitors from 4-8 p.m. at Ratterman's Funeral Home, 3711 Lexington Road.

It was Charlie's wish that in lieu of flowers, friends make a donation in his memory to his sons' alma mater, Trinity High School.