Charles "Charlie" Maiden, Jr., age 75, passed away on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at the University of Virginia Hospital following a battle with melanoma cancer.
Born on March 28, 1938, Charlie was a lifelong resident of Abingdon, VA. Graduating from William King High School in 1956, Charlie went on to enter the United States Army, serving for thirteen years in the reserves as a drill sergeant. Charlie worked in the insurance business, retiring from United Insurance Company of America in 2000. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, boating, waterskiing, gardening, and working in his yard. Charlie loved grouse hunting most of all and would share information and stories about grouse hunting with anyone who would listen. He believed in wildlife conservation and proper field management practices, and he held a deep respect for both the animals that he hunted as well as the mountains in which he hunted them. Charlie often said that he felt closest to God when he was in the mountains. Charlie loved and trained all his grouse dogs but held a special affinity for his last dog, Buffy. They had a special bond that comes along once in a lifetime and is a blessing for those who experience it.
He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Doris Boyd Maiden of Abingdon, VA; a daughter, Susan Letitia "Tisha" Sipe and son-in-law John Sipe of Gainesville, VA; and two beloved grandsons, Jackson and Cooper. He is preceded in death by his father, Charles Maiden, Sr. and his mother, Lois Webster Maiden who passed away in January 2013.
Visitation with the family will be from 11:00 a.m.-1:45 p.m, Saturday, April 6, 2013 at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Steven Pollard officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens where nephews, Thomas Jones, Rick Boyd, Shawn Boyd, Dennis Bryant; and dear friends, Charlie Warren and Michael Warren will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Boyd, Sam "Mack" Boyd, Wayne Rector, J. F. Cook, Jerry Forester, Jerry Price, Frank Walls, Jeff Trull, Ronnie "Ug" Mink, Ronnie Frazier, David Anderson, Robert Pate, Robert Colley, Jim Yates, Ed Gray, and H. C. "Footsie" Pratte, as well as, special friends Joe and Jan Derting, and Esther and Hunter Land. Military honors will be presented by Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and the Virginia National Guard.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Abingdon Baptist Church, 361 West Main Street, Abingdom, VA 24210, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 246, Abingdon, VA 24212, or the wildlife conservation or animal rescue charity of your choice.
For all those kind people who allowed Charlie to hunt on their property, we will be forever grateful for your trusting him to pursue his passion. We also owe a debt of gratitude for everyone who paid visits, sent cards, brought food, and all other acts of kindness during this difficult time.
Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuenralservice.com and signing the online guestbook.
The family of Charles "Charlie" Maiden, Jr. is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).