Charles Arthur "Chuck"
Fessenden
August 6, 1933-
February 21, 2018
Columbus, GA- An energetic, witty, and joyful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Chuck was a friend to many with a passion for church, music, and the University of Alabama.
Charles Arthur "Chuck" Fessenden, 84, passed away on February 21, 2018 at his home in Columbus, Georgia. He was born on August 6, 1933 in Washington, D.C. to the late George and Laura Fessenden.
He grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland and graduated from Bethesda – Chevy Chase High School.
After serving 2 years in the United States Army during the Korean War, he attended the University of Alabama, meeting his future bride, Jeanne Binion. He received a BS in Education and MA from the University and was a loyal member of the Million Dollar Band, exemplified by his annual trip to Tuscaloosa for the Million Dollar Band Alumni weekend.
Jeanne and Chuck married June 7, 1958 in Brewton, Alabama. Their 58-year marriage was spent side by side in countless volunteer activities, and national and international travel. They spent their early years in Tuscaloosa and Montgomery, where both of their daughters, Laura Jeanne and Julia Anne, were born, before relocating to Columbus in 1967.
Chuck's career spanned many genres including print media, adult and choral education, and choir directing, taking him to Church of the Ascension, Montgomery, AL; South Columbus UMC, Columbus, GA; Eddy Junior High School, Columbus, GA; Columbus College, Columbus, GA; St. Paul UMC, Columbus, GA; Swift Textiles, Columbus, GA; and St. Mark Episcopal Church in LaGrange, GA.
Chuck, along with his wife Jeanne, were always willing to give their support to the arts, education, the community, the University of Alabama, and their church. Chuck's interests ranged from his involvement with the Montgomery Little Theatre, Springer Opera House, Springer Children's Theatre, Springer Ballet, and the Human Experience Theatre, as both performer and musical director, to his membership in the Columbus Symphony Orchestra on violin. He was a Spontaneous Judge for Odyssey of the Mind at local, state and world competitions for 20 years. He dedicated is time to others by volunteering with the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Linwood Cemetery, National Infantry Museum, Springer Opera House, Midtown Medical Center, and the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus. He was an active member of the Columbus Civitan Club, Ellwood Moyer Executives Club, and the Chattahoochee Valley Bama Club. He served his church as Usher, Lay Reader, and Lay Eucharist Minister at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, including distribution of the sacraments to homebound parishioners.
Chuck is survived by his brother Roger Fessenden (and family) of Brookeville, Maryland, his daughters Laura (Sam) Ruffner and Julia (Steve) Slater, his grandchildren Hayley Walker, Winston Walker, Stephen Slater, and William Slater, one great-granddaughter Emma Jeanne Paschal and his beloved cat Merlin, all in the Columbus area.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.
The Memorial Service and Eucharist will be held at 3:30 PM Sunday, February 25, 2018 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. All guests are invited to a reception with the family in the St. Thomas Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church or John B. Amos Cancer Center.
Those who wish may sign the on-line guest registry at www.mcmullenfuneralhome.com.
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Published in Columbus Ledger-Enquirer on Feb. 24, 2018
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