Hampton, Virginia
SMSGT Charles Adams Felix, USAF, Ret, died August 30, 2022, at home in Traverse City, Michigan. Charles was a longtime resident of Hampton Roads before moving to Michigan in 2021.
Born in Lorain, Ohio, Charles "Chuck" graduated from Lorain High School and attended Michigan State University. He joined the Air Force and met Mary Hutto while stationed at Eglin AFB, Florida. They married on June 1, 1957. With their three children, they traveled from coast to coast and around the world, living in Florida, Michigan, Mississippi, California, Utah, Ohio, Virginia, Illinois, Okinawa, and Norway. Charles also served in Vietnam in 1969-1970. After his military retirement, he worked for Drucker & Falk in Newport News. He continued his education at Saint Leo University on military bases across the country and graduated with his B.S. in accounting in 1987.
After retiring the second time, he enjoyed working at Busch Gardens and became a passionate hospital volunteer. After his first heart surgery, he visited dozens of heart patients before and after surgery as a volunteer with Mended Hearts. He then became a Red Cross volunteer, serving in hospitals at Langley AFB, Fort Eustis, and Fort Monroe. He received the American Red Cross Virginia Region Service to the Armed Forces Volunteer Award in 2016.
Charles is survived by his wife, Mary Felix; children Cynthia Burns (Terry), Ken Felix (Becky), and Carolyn Purcell; grandchildren Corey Felix (Sarah), Rachel Bristow (Jordan), Violet Purcell, Kevin Burns (Kellie), Brian Burns, and Alan Burns (Jennifer); and 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Jean James, and her children Valene Scalise, Jeff James, and Brad James. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thelma Adams Felix and Dr. Cloyd Homer Felix.
Charles was sustained by his faith in Christ throughout his life and especially during his brief illness. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:30 pm on Friday, September 9, at First United Methodist Church Fox Hill in Hampton. Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm, and the service will be followed by a reception. Burial will be at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk at a later date. Arrangements are by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.
I was very fortunate to know Chuck this last year. he was always very friendly, and meticulously organized, I have learned a lot from Chuck from how he was a devoted husband of Mary, how he served a full career in the Air Force doing various tasks as a proud American and how he volunteered many years after he retired. Chuck lived his faith and touched many, many people. My sincere condolences to Mary and the family.
Richard Marr
September 12, 2022 | Friend
So sorry to hear of Chuck´s passing. We were friends from childhood. Our prayers are with the family. Paul and Gen Gray
Paul Gray
September 10, 2022 | Friend
Ivory Elegance Floral Basket
Jean Valene Jeff Brad and fami
September 06, 2022
I volunteered with Mr. Felix in the eye clinic at Langley AFB. He was friendly, kind, and genuinely loved to help others. He just had an ease and a good way about him that we all enjoyed. Thank you for your service, sir; both when you wore an Air Force uniform and for the many, many years after you'd put it away. You left things better than you found them and you will be missed by so many. Rest in peace, my friend.
Jim Forrest
September 06, 2022
When I first met Chuck 23 years ago at a volunteer appreciation lucheon at Ft. Monroe, he treated me like we were old friends. He always stopped by my office on his volunteer days or if he happened to be at the hospital for an appointment. I will miss our chats that ended with a warm hug and his recent emails after he moved to Michigan.
Judy Theodosakis
September 06, 2022 | Friend
What precious memories we have of Chuck and the times we've spent together with Mary and other family members. We will remember fondly the shared vacations, the holiday visits including side trips to Williamsburg, fun times at Busch,the numerous games of train, and especially the trip we took with Chuck and Mary to Denver, Yellowstone and all the surrounding trips in between. Chuck, you will be missed. You are loved by us and so many others. We'll see you in the "morning." (Ray & Marci Hutto)
Ray & Marci Hutto
September 04, 2022
