Charles Arthur Fluent

1931 - 2024

ORANGE PARK, Fla. - Charles Arthur Fluent, 93, of Orange Park, passed away June 21, 2024, at the Haven Hospice, Roberts Care Center, in Palatka. He died from complications of Agent Orange.

Charles was born May 18, 1931, in Salamanca, N.Y., the son of Oliver Dustin Fluent, Artinsie A. (Warner) Fluent, Leo C. Cooper and Marion (Greenhauer) Cooper. On Aug. 14, 1948, he married Alice Marie Mighells. They were married for 61 years until Alice's passing on Oct. 17, 2009.

Charles served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. At 35, he requested an age waiver from the Pentagon to re-enter the service as a U.S. Navy SeeBee to try to keep his older sons from being sent to Vietnam. He received his waiver and he, as well as his sons, served in Vietnam. He received several commendations, of which he was extremely proud.

Charles worked a great deal of his life as a construction foreman, with ABC Construction and later Lane Construction. He and Alice traveled all over the U.S. in their fifth wheel, as he helped to build roads across the country. In his younger years, he was a policeman for the City of Salamanca, owned an oil business and owned a restaurant, The Long Branch, which was famous for fish fries! He also served on the police and fire commissions.

Charles was a 32nd degree Mason for over 58 years. He belonged to the Grand Lodge in Great Valley, N.Y., and the Scottish Rite in Jamestown, N.Y. He was also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a long-standing member of the Laborer's International Union of North America, Local 621, in Olean, N.Y.

Charles is survived by his sons, Joseph (Sandy) Fluent of Orange Park, with whom he lived and was cared for for the past 15 years, Michael (Carol) Fluent of Salamanca and Thomas (Martha) Fluent of Snellville, Ga.; his sister, Sue Cooper Swetland of Salamanca; 26 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, Charles was preceded in death by his son Charles R. Fluent; brothers Edward Fluent and Donald Fluent; a sister, Marie Brahaney; and his granddaughter, Rene Fluent.

At Charles' request, there will be no funeral services. His burial will be at a later date in Salamanca at the convenience of the family.