Charles Thornton Knowles

Charles Thornton Knowles, 63, a creative soul who treasured life's everyday joys, passed away after a fall at his home in Durham, N.C., in late March 2024.

Family and friends remember Chuck for his optimism, compassion, boundless intellectual curiosity, and humor. He loved to share the work of inspiring writers, musicians, filmmakers, and historians, a habit that enriched the lives of everyone he knew. Chuck delighted in conversation, wordplay, puns, and irony. His rich vocabulary (e.g., ouroboros) often sent people to the dictionary. Whether discussing politics, movies, art, culture, or history, he was always amicable and open to new viewpoints or ideas that challenged his own.

Chuck loved to laugh. His laugh was unabashed and infectious. He would laugh until his eyes crinkled shut and tears ran down his face. His quirky sense of humor remained strong even while multiple sclerosis gradually claimed his mobility during the last 25 years.

Because of his compassion for animals and love for Planet Earth, Chuck was a vegetarian. He was an adventurous diner and, before his illness made cooking difficult, he loved to prepare spicy Indian meals. A recent creation that he found irresistible was guacamole with blue cheese. Chuck also loved people, flaws and all, and hated to see anything go to waste.

Chuck had the heart and soul of an artist. He appreciated artistic expression in all media and amassed a tremendous book collection. His favorite films included: "2001: A Space Odessey," "The Shining," (or any Stanley Kubrick), "It's A Wonderful Life," "Citizen Kane," Jean Cocteau's "Orpheus," and "The Red Shoes." He aspired to make singular, emotionally compelling films and in the mid 1980s he wrote and directed "The Upturned Face" (unreleased), a short black-and-white film set during the Civil War.

His work life included project coordination in the film and television commercial industry in his hometown, Miami, Fla.; home repairs after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida; and marketing and editing with family-owned health care companies.

Chuck was born May 11,1960, in Miami. He graduated from Killian Senior High School where he was a student government leader, newspaper photographer, fencer, and member of the English Honor Society. He studied film, literature, history, and the arts at New College of Florida and University of South Florida.

Chuck is deeply missed by his mother, Ruth Dailey Grainger, PhD, and stepfather, Jim Grainger; his cousin Heather Morton and her husband Paul Verderber and other family members; and by lifelong friends including Christopher Corrie and Karen Kemp.