Charles James Weems Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

In lieu of flowers the Weems family would appreciate donations to be made to the Cocorft-Weems Educational Foundation @ www.ccwef.org. Charles J. Weems Sr. was born in Breckenridge, Pennsylvania, the second eldest to Edward and Bertha Weems and the last survivor of their five children. The family later settled in Atlanta, Georgia. Charles attended the famous Booker T. Washington High School and Tuskegee Institute where he obtained an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering. To compliment his studies, he became a member of the Civil Engineering Division as a Second Lieutenant and earned a Bronze Star in the Vietnam War, along with many accolades. Charles retired as a Major after serving his country for sixteen years. Charles was a family man first and foremost and was blessed with his son Charles Jr., in 1961. While stationed in Oscoda, Michigan, he met his "lovely wife Bea"on a blind date and they have been "best friends" ever since--marrying in 1965. Friends and family gathered as they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2015. Their home was always one of joy and encouragement. He greeted you with "let me fix you a drink" and your glass could never be empty. He was famous for his Heavy Hitter and Slugger that left many people with memory loss the day after. It tasted so good! Charles and Bea supported their grandchildren and nieces and nephew endeavors for educational advancement. They looked forward to receiving a birthday card that contained a stick of Juicy Fruit gum and a $2.00 bill. He also included a mathematical equation demonstrating how just $2.00 saved could make you a millionaire. After living in New Hampshire, he and Bea moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he earned a Master's in Public Works from the University of Pittsburgh. They then moved to Alaska, where he worked on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline which was the first of its size to be built in the Alaskan permafrost. They later moved to Midland, Michigan and finally settled to Seattle, Washington where he retired in 1998 as Division Director of Construction Engineer. After retirement, they built a home on Bea's homestead in Milan, Michigan. Here he spent his time going to the gym (doing 100 push-ups daily), drinking coke, reading the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, taking road trips, and enjoying family. Living in Atlanta, he experienced Jim Crow and this would shape his life. He would silently fight for the right to have an education for those who were not considered "star" pupils. This manifest, in 1977 as the Cocroft-Weems Education Foundation that he founded in honor of his and Bea's parents who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Although Charles liked a good party, he was also very serious and when he spoke it was as if E.F. Hutton was speaking and you listened. His strength came from his strong relationship with God and in his eloquently written letters referred to Him as "God Almighty". Sadly, Charles departed this earth peacefully the morning of Wednesday, April 22,2020 without his wife by his side due to the pandemic. He remains a generous, kind, compassionate, trustworthy, loyal, committed, devoted, fatherly, honest, and driven example of a man for his remaining family and friends to follow.

Tributes

Charles James Weems

September 10, 1930 - April 22, 2020