Charles Anderson Nations

Charles Anderson Nations, age 87, of Pensacola, passed away on January 8, 2025. Charlie was born in Oak Grove, LA, on July 9, 1937. He was married to Beverly (Frye) Nations, the love of his life and his partner for 32 years. Charlie’s proudest career accomplishment was 23 years spent in the military. He began serving his country with three years in the Army before embarking on a twenty-year journey living out his dream to be in the Air Force. He completed three tours in Vietnam as an aircraft mechanic, and he was stationed in Japan and Germany before retiring in 1978 as a Master Sergeant. In his final years of service, he was the Commandant of the NCO Leadership School at Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, NC—the youngest person and lowest rank to hold that office at the time. After his military retirement, Charlie held many leadership positions, including being a plant manager at two different factories. Always an avid learner, he went back to school in his fifties to obtain his HVAC certification, which led him to a new career path as a superintendent for an electrical company in Tennessee. He retired once more to his adopted hometown of Pensacola, where he often enjoyed having a cold beer and hanging out with family and friends on his beloved back porch. In addition to being a lifelong voracious reader, he enjoyed solving crossword puzzles and playing games on his computer. Charlie was known for his love of animals, and his devotion to his pets was legendary. He is survived by his cherished pups, Buddy and Bella, and his cats: Turtle, Fat Boy, Yellow Fellow, and Aunt Mamie. Lower down the totem pole after his pets, he is also survived by his wife, Beverly; his daughters, Gail Hill (Tim), Phyllis Harper (Randy), and Leslie Howe (John); and his brother, James Nations (Doris). He was also a loving grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather, as well as a dedicated uncle and friend. Charlie was preceded in death by his daughter, Stephanie Cisneros; his parents, Daisy Irby and W.A. Nations; and his sister, Hilda Floyd. In lieu of flowers, please honor Charlie’s lifelong devotion to animals with a donation to the Humane Society (https://www.humanesociety.org) or please consider supporting efforts to rescue and rehabilitate animals affected by the catastrophic California wildfires by donating to the Humane Society of Pasadena (pasadenahumane.org/wildfirerelief).

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Charles Anderson Nations

July 9, 1937 - January 8, 2025