Charles McCanless

After an active and fruitful life Charlie McCanless passed away on July 3, 2022 at the age of 94. Charlie was born and grew up in Canton, GA, son of Max and Ruth McCanless, grandson of E.A and Hattie McCanless who lived next door which made eating two breakfasts each morning an easy accomplishment for young Charlie. His many adventures, and misadventures, in and around Canton are legendary, at least to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Upon completion of High School, Charlie left the N. Georgia mountains and went south to Atlanta to study engineering at Georgia Tech. After graduation he trained Air Force pilots on the use of radar, and after his tour of duty was completed he went back to Tech to get a degree in Electrical Engineering. Several moves later left him in Orlando, Florida where he enjoyed a long career designing guidance systems for Lockheed-Martin.

Charlie was married to the lovely Dorothy Oates from Brunswick, GA. Together they raised three children: Charles Walter, married to Annie, Carolyn Ruth married to John Caplan, and Mary Angelyn married to Ed Lefler. They survive their parents as do eight grandchildren: Marie, Margaret, Charlie, Emily, Wesley, Chris, Abigail and Eliza. Newest members of the family are two great grandchildren: Walter and Calvin.

From growing up in the N. Georgia mountains, to studies at Georgia Tech University, to service in the Air force, and on to a long engineering career at Lockheed-Martin, Charlie brought intelligence, imagination and love to everything he did. He and his wife Dot, designed and developed a neighborhood doing much of the labor themselves. His service and ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Orlando included service as both a Deacon and an Elder, a youth advisor, high school teacher, and computerizing the church roles using some of the first punch card style computers in the area. Charlie was involved in Scouting with his children and was proud to teach all scouts how to cook a breakfast of bacon and eggs over a fire in a paper bag.

A celebration of Charlie's life and eternal life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church Chapel, 106 E. Church St. Orlando, FL 32801 at 11:00 am on Friday, July 22, 2022. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church in memory of Charles McCanless. A full obituary can be read at: robertbryantfh.com/obituary/charles-mccanless.