"Charlie" became interested in aviation at a young age and aspired to be a pilot as a way out of rural east Tennessee. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, he joined the Air National Guard and flew C-130s, the Hercules "Hercs" in Vietnam.

He retired a Major and went on to fly for American Airlines. He is one of the great many heroes of aviation, leading both sons to pilots' licenses and to careers in the industry.