Commander Charles T. Fowinkle

Commander Charles T Fowinkle of Tallahassee FL “slipped the surly bonds of earth, put out his hand, and touched the face of God” on April 20th, 2023. Charles Tinsley Fowinkle was born on February 6, 1946, to Robert and Severin Fowinkle in Memphis, Tennessee and was raised in Fort Myers, Florida. Commander Fowinkle received his business degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and his MBA from the University of West Florida. He served in the United States Navy as a Naval Aviator for 26 years. His first tour of duty was flying helicopter gunships in South Vietnam. He was assigned to several Navy ships including the USS Albany, the USS Nimitz, CV 68, and many more. CDR Fowinkle was the Navy Search and Rescue CZAR where he standardized rescue equipment and procedures for all US services. He held many executive positions including Water Survival Model Manager Chief of Staff for COMNAVFORCARIB, and Executive Officer for Recruit Training Command San Diego. CDR Fowinkle was selected for and attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI. His awards include two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Meritorious Service Memorial, 21 Air Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals with combat V, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and many others. After retirement in 1993, Commander Fowinkle started the Lincoln High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Corps (NJROTC) in Tallahassee. Lincoln's NJROTC was an award-winning program with a sailing team, drill teams, and several sports teams that competed statewide. Many of his cadets attended college ROTC and service academies. CDR Fowinkle retired from Lincoln NJROTC after 17 years. Charley and Joan were Springtime Tallahassee's Andrew Jackson and Rachel XL 40. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, and cooking meals for the Legacy Community of Celebration Baptist Church where he was a faithful member. Charley was a devout Christian man of integrity, honor, and morality. Charley adored Joan, his wife, of 56 years. Charley was the kindest person one could ever meet. His surviving siblings include brother, Robert Fowinkle III and sister, Nancy Bennett. He loved and was so proud of his two sons, Charles (Darlene) of Tallahassee and A. Jay (Jennifer) of Apopka. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Hunter, Hayden, Campbell, J.T., and Ashlynne, his great-granddaughter Willow, and great-grandson Onyx. Memorial services will be held at Celebration Baptist Church on May 5, 2023 at 10:00am followed by full military honors burial at the Tallahassee National Cemetery at 2:00pm. Contributions in Charley’s memory may be made to Tallahassee's A Women's Pregnancy Center, 919 West Pensacola Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32304; Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32308; or Celebration Baptist Church, 3300 Shamrock Street East, Tallahassee, Florida 32309. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193)

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Commander Charles T. Fowinkle

February 6, 1946 - April 20, 2023