Charles Paul Chritton

Charles (Chuck) Chritton passed away peacefully at his home on April 29, 2025, after enjoying his 86th birthday two days before. He left this world being known as a damn good Marine and a kind man who loved his family and enjoyed the simple things in life. He will be most remembered for his big, jolly belly laugh that couldn't help but make you smile.

Chuck was born in New Ulm, MN on April 27, 1939, to M. Charles and Eugenia Chritton. When he was eight, his family moved to La Crosse, WI where he attended Holy Trinity School and Aquinas High School.

Chuck was the firstborn of six children. He was a natural-born leader who built his life brick by brick, never waiting for a handout or shortcut. Every success he earned came from long hours and determination, starting with his first paper route when he was a young boy. He did not seek accolades, but when they came, he accepted them with humility.

During high school from 1956 to 1957, he was in the active reserve for the US Navy. After high school, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps in July 1957. He was stationed in Thailand as a Recon Marine where he had many adventures. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps with the rank of Lance Corporal. He then pursued his education at the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1965 while working 40 hours a week doing various jobs. He re-enlisted in Marine Corps’ OCS in the fall of 1965. In 1966, he received the Honor Graduate Award and was presented an engraved Sword of Honor. On December 2, 1966, he married Claudia A. Clark - his total opposite, but perfect partner. Claudia kept him on his toes for 58 years of marriage.

From January 1967 to January 1968, he served in Vietnam with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines in the I-Corps, the northernmost part of South Vietnam. He was involved in the "Hill Fights" at Khe Sanh and was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" for heroism as commanding officer of Fox Company, 2/3, for taking Hill 881 North on May 5,1967. He also received two Purple Heart Medals for being wounded in combat. His experiences in Vietnam altered his view of the world, but did not take away from his compassion or perspective that life is a “glass half full.” After Vietnam, he was stationed at Quantico, VA, as an OCS Instructor. He left the Marine Corps as a Major.

After a year working for Charmin Paper Company in Mehoopany, PA, he sought to be a lawyer like his Uncle Bill. He was accepted to Notre Dame University as one of the first Kiley full-ride scholarships. He lived on campus with his wife and son, Michael, while serving as managing editor of the Notre Dame Law Review. He graduated with the degree of Juris Doctor, Cum Laude.

After law school, he worked for a large law firm in Milwaukee, WI before moving to Lakeland, FL to join the law firm of Wendel & McArthur, which eventually became Wendel, Chritton & Parks. He specialized in wills, probate, real estate and corporate law - often helping those with little money or those left behind, for little or no compensation. He was the attorney for the City of St. Leo from 1974-2009. He never fully retired and celebrated his 50th year with the Florida Bar this year.

After working 60+ hours a week, his weekends were not for relaxing but for teaching his children the value of hard work by mowing lawns in the hot Florida sun. He repeated to them, “Always trim the edges,” meaning don’t slack, always do a good job.

He also preached the importance of saving with a lifetime of lectures on compound interest, which he often said was the second most powerful force in the world. The first being E=mc2.

He also firmly believed in giving back. Locally, he served on the Church of the Resurrection Parish Council and the board of Santa Fe Catholic High School and donated to numerous local and nationwide charities.

Chuck was proud of his children, adored his grandchildren and had a special place in his heart for all his nieces and nephews, even officiating the weddings for three of them.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother and his brother Jim. He is survived by his wife, Claudia A. Chritton, his brother Tom Chritton and sisters Myrna Conway (Jerry), Kathy Wewerka (Case) and Ann Sciborski (Dan) ; children Michael D. Chritton (partner Gilly Economy), Karen M. Hudson (partner Michael Johnson) and Susan Chambless and son-in-law Greg Chambless; grandchildren Brandon Chambless, Ryan Chambless, Lindsay Chritton, Kevin Hudson, Nicole Chambless and Abby Chritton; seven great grandchildren and fourteen nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on May 14, 2025, from 5pm -7pm at Heath Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will be held on May 15, 2025, at Resurrection Catholic Church at 1:00 pm., followed by a reception at Cleveland Heights Golf Course. Link to live stream of service: https:// www.youtube.com/@RCCS_Lakeland/streams. (Live stream will be May 15, 2025, for the funeral service)

He will be laid to rest at Florida National Cemetery on November 10, 2025, on the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps.

Donations can be made to Santa Fe Catholic High School or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Semper Fi! Go Irish! Long live Dairy Queen!