Charles Prince, Gold Canyon, passed away peacefully with family at his side on August 7, 2020, after a long and full life.
Charles attended Washington High School, where he quarterbacked the Continentals to their only undefeated season. Charles was so elated to meet with members of the team for a reunion recently in Indianapolis. He then served in the Air Force and was stationed in Lakenheath, England. After his service in the Air Force, Charles became a Warrant Officer with the Indiana Air National Guard. He started his law enforcement career with the Indianapolis Police Department, and shortly after joined the Indiana State Police. During his 21-year tenure, he served as a First Sergeant in the newly formed Intelligence Unit. Charles transferred into the Aviation Unit and served as commander of the unit.
After retirement from the Indiana State Police, he began a career with the Federal Aviation Administration. Charles piloted and was an instructor in both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. His dreams came true when an opportunity presented itself in Scottsdale, Arizona where he whisked his wife off to the desert to begin his love affair with golf. Some of the highlights of his career with the FAA were earning his Honorary Test Pilot Certificate for the AH-64D Apache Longbow Helicopter and performing trans-Atlantic check-flights across “The Pond”. These flights enabled him to return to England where he served in the Air Force.
Charles retired from the FAA in 2007. He finalized his career in aviation when he and his wife started an aviation consulting business. Charles performed safety audits on medical transport bases throughout the country. He then decided to completely retire and focus on perfecting his golf game with a group of great guys, the “Ball Busters”.
Charles was predeceased in death by his parents, Ralph and Anna. Charles is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Patricia, his Tishie, with whom he loved to travel the world. Charles had one son, Charles Jr. and one daughter Elizabeth. He has three grandchildren, Meredith, Cierra and Sean; three great grandsons, Brodyn, Liam and Cane. Charles has one sister, Rebecca. Charles loved sharing his passion for flying, golf, marksmanship and exploring the desert with all of his family.
At his request, a private service is being planned for immediate family only, and there will be a celebration of life at a later date.