Charles L. Wilkes

CHARLES L. WILKES

CHARLES L. WILKES, a long time resident of metropolitan Washington, D.C. departed this life on November 15, 2002 at his home in Vero Beach, FL at the age of 73.

Born on March 7, 1929, Mr. Wilkes received and A.B. degree from Dartmouth in 1950 and a J.D. Degree from George Washington University Law School in 1954. He was admitted to the bar in the District of Columbia in 1954, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Court of Military Appeals. In 1957 he was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. He was also a member of the Maryland and Michigan bars.

Mr. Wilkes practiced in the areas of banking, real estate, probate and trust law, and was a principal with Wilkes & Artis and Whiteford, Hart, Carmody, & Wilson of the District of Columbia. He retired as a principal in the Bethesda, Maryland, firm of Lerch, Early, & Brewer, Chartered in 1990.

Mr. Wilkes was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the D.C. Bar Association in 1974-76 and 1979-81. He was a member of the Federal Bar Association, American Bar Association, the Barristers, and The Lawyers Club. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a member of the D.C. Estate Planning Council, and served as chairperson of the committee of the D.C. Bar Association which drafted the comprehensive Probate Reform Act of 1980.

Mr. Wilkes served for many years as counsel for the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington as well as Trustee for the YMCA Foundation, and was designed its "Leader of the Year" in 1970.

Mr. Wilkes was a Trustee of the Washington City Orphan Asylum, as well as the Federal City Council. He was a Master Freemason 32nd degree of the Temple Noyes in Washington and in 1986 celebrated his 25th year as a member of the Scottish Rite. Mr. Wilkes was a member of Congressional Country Club and the Royal Order of Jesters.

Mr. Wilkes is survived by his brother, four children, and eight grandchildren. A memorial service to celebrate Mr. Wilkes' life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2002 at the DEMAINE FUNERAL HOME, 5308 Backlick Rd., Springfield, VA with private inurnment at Parklawn Memorial Park in Rockville, MD. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children, 12502 Pine Dr., Tampa, FL 33612-9499 in memory of Charles L. Wilkes.