Charles M. Blalack

August 10, 2015 Charles M. Blalack passed away on August 10, 2015. He was 88 years old. Charley began every day with a smile on his face and a spring in his step. Known for his unwaveringly positive attitude, he was a courteous gentleman, in the truest sense. Respected for his integrity and intellect, and as someone who saw only the good in everything and everyone, he was generous, friendly and kind to all. To understand the wonder that was Charley's character, one needs only to know the story of his marriage. When he met Boni, she was a positive and courageous beauty - but there was a complication, she was also a double-amputee, having lost an arm and a leg in a motorboat accident. But believing that love was more powerful than logic, Charley focused on the positive and ignored that a marriage to her would be different. They married, had three cherished children and lived what turned out to be one of the greatest love stories of all time. A true example of an American success story, after serving proudly in the Navy, and attending UCLA, Charley began his investment career by driving across the country (sometimes sleeping in his car) with one suit and one spare white shirt, selling General Telephone stock door-to-door. This inauspicious beginning led to many business milestones including the formation of his own investment advising companies. Providing venture capital to young companies eventually became his passion. He provided financing and served as a Director on the board of many successful companies in the technology and healthcare fields. He loved sailing, body surfing, and being near the ocean. His lifelong passion was golf and one of his proudest accomplishments was becoming a member of the U.S. Seniors Golf Assoc. He loved his family, Boni's cooking, Louis L'Amour novels, entertaining guests, jokes, and being a proud American. He'll be remembered for how he adored his wife, how his children considered him a best friend, helping people in business, making daily phone calls to friends, inviting strangers to breakfast, wearing shorts with dress shoes, long dinner table toasts, not being able to change a light bulb, believing that most occasions called for a coat and tie, impeccably good manners, believing that no problem was too big to solve, and most especially for his wonderful stories. Throughout his life, Charley often referred to Kipling's poem "If", as an excellent standard to which one should aspire. The poem is about integrity, risk-taking, fortitude and humility. To those that knew Charley, it seemed that he tried and mostly succeeded to adhere to the poem's ideals. He treated people kindly and accomplished much. He did it with humility and honesty, and as the poem said, he "filled the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds' worth of distance run." The world was a better and happier place for it. He is survived by his three beloved children and their spouses, his four grandchildren, and an extended family of nieces, nephews, and in-laws. The family will have a private gathering in remembrance of Charley's life. Donations may be made to The First Tee.