Charles "Chuck" Glisson

Charles "Chuck" Glisson,76, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at his residence in Guyton, Georgia. He was born on June 26, 1947, in Quincy, Florida to Joe and Dollie Jackson Glisson and lived in Effingham County for many years.

Chuck was a high school grid star playing in the position of tackle for Harris County High School in Hamilton, Georgia, lettering all four years.

Chuck led a fulfilling life dedicated to service and hard work. In 1967, he signed up for the U.S. Navy. He was assigned to the Navy’s Seabees, one of the navy’s special forces units. There he trained to be a high voltage electrician and how to use various weaponry. Seabees are known for working with one hand and fighting with the other. His battalion, MCB 40, traveled with the Marines throughout the war zones of Vietnam. During his two deployments into Vietnam, he climbed many electrical poles and saw more than enough combat. He was involved in the Tet Offensive, which was one of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War. In this campaign, Chuck said he “truly experienced the Grace of God” as a Viet Cong mortar emerged from the sky, penetrated the ground at his feet and failed to detonate. 

After his military assignment was over, Chuck worked as a Pinkerton private investigator for seven years in Barrington, Rhode Island. During that same time, he attended Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. 

To be closer to his family, he returned to Georgia where he gained employment with Georgia Pacific as a millwright in their Pine Mountain, Georgia plywood producing plant where he eventually became Maintenance Superintendent. Around 1992, Chuck was transferred to another Georgia Pacific plywood plant in Monticello, Georgia, where he eventually met the love of his life, Lonna Campbell Lewis. They were married for 31 years. Chuck was again transferred to his final career assignment with Georgia Pacific as their Chief Maintenance Engineer at Georgia Pacific’s gypsum plant on the Savannah River in Savannah. After 33 years, he retired from Georgia Pacific and then went on to work for the Effingham County Board of Education for 9 years. 

Beyond his professional achievements, Chuck's true joy came from spending time with his family. Known for his kind and welcoming personality, he had a special talent for making others feel at ease. His bright blue eyes and contagious smile could light up any room, leaving a lasting impact on all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Chuck was a compassionate, kind, gentle, fun, jovial, dependable, intelligent, curious and creative person who was loved by many. 

In his leisure time, Chuck found solace in the outdoors. He enjoyed camping trips with his wife, finding peace in building projects, casting a line while fishing, and tending to his garden.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Dolly Glisson. Chuck leaves behind his loving wife of 30 years, Lonna Glisson; son, Christopher Glisson (Angela) of Somerset, MA; daughters, Kelly Glisson Land (John) of Clarksville, Ga, Jamie Lynn Glisson of Fall River, MA, Lacey Lewis Thompson of Guyton, GA, and Kayla Lewis Calahan (Mike) of Guyton; brothers, Bill Glisson (Kathy) of Carrollton, GA, and Tommy Glisson (Joyce) of Greensboro, GA; sisters, Phyllis Yancey (James) of Georgetown, GA, Connie Bonnette (Jason) of Manchester, Ga; and Judy Gilbert (William) of Woodberry, GA; grandchildren, Connor Land, Kaedy Land, Makenzie Lewis, Kendall Calahan, Sophie Lewis, Karson Calahan, Kolt Calahan, Collen Land, Avery Glisson, Mason Thompson, Jackson Glisson, and Logan Glisson; special friends, Regina Fail of Guyton and Patrick Edwards of Guyton; military buddies, Dave Wilson and Bob Githens both of Rhode Island; and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held at Carlson & Riggs Funeral Home on Saturday, July 6, 2024, from 3-4pm with a celebration of life to follow at 4pm in the chapel of the funeral home.