Charles Allison

Charles Allison, 69, Tuscaloosa, died Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at Hospice of West Alabama. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2008, at Christ Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church.

Mr. Allison was born on Nov. 10, 1938, in Gadsden, the son of the late Charles P. Allison and the late Mana Allison Shannon. He completed his undergraduate studies at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 1960. Following distinguished service as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy, he enrolled in the University of Alabama School of Law, where he was a member of the Alabama Law Review, the Order of the Coif and the Farrah Order of Jurisprudence. After completing his legal studies in 1966, he practiced law in Tuscaloosa for 10 years with the firm of McQueen, Ray & Allison. In 1976, he was named general counsel for Gulf States Paper Corporation and was elected vice president, secretary and general counsel in 1980. Mr. Allison retired from Gulf States Paper Corporation in 2000 following 24 years of service with the company.

Mr. Allison was a leader in numerous civic and community activities, including service as a member of the executive board of the Black Warrior Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Because of his leadership and dedication as the longtime chairman of the Tenderfoot Charity Golf Classic benefiting scouting in West Alabama, Mr. Allison was recognized with the Silver Beaver Award for exemplary service. He also served as a board member of the DCH Foundation, the Tuscaloosa Rotary Club and the Mental Health Association of Tuscaloosa County.

Mr. Allison was active in governmental affairs and was involved in the formation of the Business Council of Alabama, having served on the board of directors of both the Business Council and its predecessor organization, the Alabama Chamber of Commerce. He served on numerous governmental commissions involving tax policy and unemployment and worker compensation.

Mr. Allison was a member of the Alabama State Bar, the Tuscaloosa County Bar Association and the Farrah Law Alumni Society. He was an avid golfer and served as secretary of the NorthRiver Yacht Club Board of Directors for more than 20 years. He was a longtime member of Christ Episcopal Church.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Sherry Allison; his two sons, Steve (Debbie) and Jim (Theresa), Houston, Texas; six grandchildren, Ashley, Tyler, David, Jennifer, John and Michael; his brother, Mike Shannon, Gadsden; and his sister, Ann Springfield, Tupelo, Miss.

Our thanks to his many friends for their help and prayers, to the nurses and staff of MICU, especially Cindy C., and to the nurses and staff of Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Christ Episcopal Church, Hospice of West Alabama or the Black Warrior Council Boy Scouts of America.