Charles Findley

Nashville, TN

Charles Homer "Chuck" Findley passed away May 3, 2015 due to complications of dementia.

Born January 14, 1924 in Saegertown, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Homer L. and Marian Luce Findley, "Chuck" will be remembered as a friend of many, a community leader, and a caring father and grandfather. Raised in a small town between Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania, Chuck attended Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. He interrupted his undergraduate education and volunteered to serve in the United States Navy in World War II. There, he held the rank of Lieutenant JG and was a "frogman," serving as a member of an underwater demolition team in the Pacific.

Chuck served in the navy for three years before returning to complete an economics degree at Baldwin-Wallace, where he was known as a serial prankster. He went on to earn a law degree at Cleveland Marshall Law School and passed the Ohio bar, eventually choosing a career in business. Through college and the military, Chuck became an accomplished trumpet player, and had a true love of jazz repertoire. Music remained important to him through Christian hymns, as he was known to sing the chorus to "Rock of Ages" everywhere he went.

Following law school, he began his career with General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York as a priorities specialist for manufacturing services. One of his favorite projects was working on the design of the propulsion system for the atomic-powered Sea Wolf submarine. He then moved to DeKalb, Illinois with GE and held positions in personnel, purchasing, engineering production control and manufacturing. He transferred to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to serve as a plant manager in GE's appliance motor production facility.

In Murfreesboro, he served as a community leader and developed a reputation for his selflessness toward those who worked with him. His bond with the Murfreesboro community was reflected through his several elected positions, including the Murfreesboro school board, the water board, and was a board member of the Boy Scouts of America. Chuck was then assigned as executive vice president of GE Mexican operations in 1969, and he resigned to join Heil-Quaker Corporation in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1971, he transferred to Whirlpool's Clyde, Ohio division as general manager, and served on the board of Fremont Hospital until 1976. In addition, he was general manager of Whirlpool's St. Paul, Minnesota Division from 1976-1978. His final move was back to Nashville in 1978 to take the position of president and CEO of Heil-Quaker. He served as president of GAMA (Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association), and after his retirement, he was honored to serve on the board of directors for the Lockinvar Corporation.

Chuck was an avid golfer, championing a new swing every six months and building many friendships on and off the course. These friends ultimately elected Chuck President of the Board at Richland Country Club, where he golfed through his retirement. A life-long United Methodist, Chuck served the church in many capacities, including youth and adult Sunday school teacher, and administrative board member. He was a member of Belle Meade United Methodist Church for 37 years and treasured his time in the congregation.

Chuck was preceded in death by his college sweetheart and wife of 49 years, Helen Fyler Findley and second wife, Billie Jean Dorris.

He is survived by his three daughters, Robin Bolduc, Charlotte, NC, Susan Brown and her husband Doug, Nashville, TN, and Alison Hulburt and her husband Robb, Chicago, IL. Children of all ages gave him great joy, and he is also survived by his two beloved grandchildren, Harrison Brown of Washington, DC and Blaine Brown of Boston, MA.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Evergreen Cemetery, Murfreesboro, under the direction of Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Visitation will follow from 1 until 3 p.m., in the Reed Hall at West End United Methodist Church, 2200 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37203.

The family requests memorials be made to Belle Meade United Methodist Church, Boy Scouts of America or Alzheimer's Association, and an online guestbook is available at www.woodfinchapel.com.

Woodfin Memorial Chapel, (615) 893-5151.