Charles Wilson, a Living Legend of Alexandria, died Aug. 12 at the age of 83.
Charles Wilson, a retired U.S. Air Force officer and past vice chairman of the School Board for Alexandria City Public Schools, died Aug. 12 at the age of 83.
Wilson was a dedicated advocate for the youth of Alexandria, recognizing the influence of his mentors for his own service to the community.
“I was influenced by mentors like Ferdinand Day and Lynnwood Campbell,” said Wilson upon his selection as a Living Legend of Alexandria in 2023. “They said I was blessed and that I needed to give back to the community. So I jumped in where I thought I could make a difference.”
Wilson was born Oct. 25, 1941, and grew up in the Cabrini-Green public housing projects on the North Side of Chicago. He credited his early education for setting him on a path to success.
“I was one of two minorities selected to attend an elite Jewish high school,” Wilson said in his Living Legends interview. “Being accepted to that school was a turning point in my life. It helped me see what I might be capable of achieving.”
Wilson went on to study at Southern Illinois University, where he was part of the ROTC program. Upon graduation in 1964, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force. He was deployed to Vietnam, where he served with the 82nd Fighter Squadron and the 315 Air Commando Wing.
For nearly a quarter century, Wilson served his country, including as executive director of the U.S. Department of Defense executive leadership program at the Pentagon. He was also a military liaison to the Republic of China, advancing through the ranks and retiring as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force in 1988.
“Charles led with integrity, purpose and passion. His legacy of service will live on in our community, and his spirit will always remain with us.”
— CCNA executive director Jim Paige
Upon his retirement from the military, Wilson began a career in financial planning and human resources development. He ran for and won election to the School Board in 2003, serving nearly 10 years including as vice chair.
During this time, he became involved with the newly formed Parent Leadership Training Institute, a nonprofit that seeks to enable parents to be better advocates for their children. Wilson was serving on the PLTI advisory board of the Alexandria chapter at the time of his death.
In 2009, one of Wilson’s Omega Psi Phi fraternity brothers, Jim Paige, was in the process of establishing the Concerned Citizen’s Network of Alexandria. Paige asked Wilson to join the organization, where he served as the CCNA treasurer until his death.
“Charles was the heart and soul of CCNA,” Paige said. “As our longest serving board member, he led with integrity, purpose and passion. His legacy of service will live on in our community, and his spirit will always remain with us.”
Wilson served as a municipal consultant to the City of Dayton, Ohio, and as an adjunct professor at Park University. He was PTA president and also served as vice chair of the Northern Virginia Hotline.
In addition to his professional roles, Wilson earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland in 1976 and an MBA from Webster University in 1979.
Wilson established a vending machine business in San Antonio, Texas, and has been credited with the invention of the microwave oven carousel.
A fellow of the D.C. Life Underwriters Council, Wilson was involved with the American Society for Training and Development, the human rights commission of the International Personnel Management Association, and Toastmasters International, among other organizations.
Wilson is survived by his wife, Kum Cha, and four children: Audrey, Angela, Andrew and Aaron.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Alfred Street Baptist Church, 301 S. Alfred Street, Alexandria. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with a funeral service at 11 a.m.
“I go back to that turning point in my life – being accepted into that Jewish school,” recalled Wilson many times. “I am thankful to all those who encouraged me along the way. I truly have been blessed.”