Mr. Charles Harrison Denmark Sr., 82, died Dec. 7, at Kindred Hospital in Rome, after a short illness. A native of Atlanta, Mr. Denmark was preceded in death by his parents Charlie Demore Denmark and Edith May (Jameson) Denmark.
Survivors include his loving and supportive wife of 62 years, Mary Frances Denmark, Woodstock; son and daughter-in-law Charles "Butch" H. Denmark Jr. and Tep Denmark, Woodstock; daughter and son-in-law Lauretta "Laurie" Horton and Craig Horton, Downey, Calif.; granddaughter Mary Elizabeth "Beth" and her husband Joe Negron, Orlando, Fla.; grandson Charles "Chip" H. Denmark III and his wife Summer Denmark, Orlando, Fla.; granddaughter Kristin Denmark, Woodstock; and five great grandchildren Ava, Austin, Ethan, Blake and Owen of Orlando, Fla.
Mr. Denmark was born in Atlanta, on July 7, 1930. After graduating from Hapeville High School in 1948, he attended Georgia Military Academy before enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1956, he attended Officer Candidate School serving aboard several ships before being assigned to the Coast Guard's Seventh District Office as a Search and Rescue Controller in New Orleans, La. He later specialized in merchant marine safety and retired in 1970 after 21 years of service.
He retired at the rank of Lieutenant Commander serving as Executive Officer of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in Savannah. He was past president of the Propeller Club, Port of Savannah, and was regional vice president of the National Propeller Club of the United States.
He was active in both the Lion's Club and the Kiwanis Club for many years. After a second career spanning 18 years as secretary and treasurer of Atlantic Towing Company in Savannah, Mr. Denmark started the first Victim Witness Assistance Program, and opened the first shelter for Battered Women and Children in Statesboro.
After returning to the Atlanta area in retirement, he was highly involved with issues for seniors as the president of the Senate for the Georgia Silver Haired Legislature. He was appointed by Governor Roy Barnes to the Georgia Hearing Examining Board as the Consumer Advocate Representative. He was an active member of Bascomb United Methodist Church, sang in the choir, and also served as the Chaplain for American Legion Post 316 in Woodstock.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 27, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Bascomb United Methodist Church, 2295 Bascomb Carmel Road, Woodstock, GA 30189.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Friday, Dec. 28, at 10:30 a.m. at Bascomb United Methodist Church with Reverend Millie L. Kim and Reverend Mike Nickolich officiating.
Interment will follow at the National Cemetery in Canton. For those who wish, contributions may be made in Memory of Mr. Denmark to either Bascomb United Methodist Church, or American Legion Post 316, P.O. Box 496, Woodstock, GA 30188.
