On August 25, 2009, Monroe County lost one of its oldest and most prominent citizens. Charles H. Allen Jr., 92 years of age, passed away at Greenbrier Valley Hospital after a long illness. Charlie, as he was known, was born on September 6, 1916, to Charles H. Allen Sr. & Mary Alford Allen. He married Mildred Fullen on August 21, 1939, and they celebrated 70 years of a full life of love and devotion just days before his departure. Charles & Mildred were proud parents of three sons, Jim, married to Joyce Lockard, Sinks Grove; Bob, married to Andi Hudgens, Union, and Larry, married to Phyllis Ralston, High Point, NC; grandparents to Jennifer (Tracey) Redifer, Jeff, Matt (Tracee), Mark (Amy), Tracey (T.J.) Lichtenberg, and Leslie (Brian) Wickline. These grandchildren gave the Allens eleven great-grandchildren, Colby, Jack, Luke & Zane Redifer, Blacksburg, VA; Nicholas and Reese Allen, Bridgeport; Ty & Cami Wickline, Union; and Cortney, Avery & Ellie Lichtenberg, Lewis Center, OH, who delighted Charles each time they visited. He is also survived by his brother, Nevitt and his wife Dorothy of Union; sister-in-law, Mary Allen of Ivydale; and his aunt, Marguerite Flouer, Princeton. Charles was preceded in death by his father & mother; brothers, James, Elwyn and Paul; sister, Eloise Sibold; and grandson, Jeff Allen. Charles spent his entire life in Monroe County and knew early in life that he wanted to educate the young people of Monroe County. To achieve this goal, he received an undergraduate degree in elementary education and his Principal Certificate from Marshall University and a master's degree in education administration from West Virginia University. For over 35 years, he served either as a teacher or coach at both Peterstown and Union High Schools, while later being named principal of Union High School. In 1968, Charles was chosen to be the first principal of Greenbrier East High School, where he served for one year before going back to his beloved Monroe County as Superintendent of Monroe County Schools, where he served until 1974. While working to provide for his family, Charles and his family operated a 130-acre cattle farm in Sinks Grove. Charles was actively involved in Ruritan and was fondly referred to as Mr. Ruritan of West Virginia. In addition to his extensive involvement in the Bluegrass Ruritan Club, he served as Zone Governor and Governor of the Lower West Virginia District, National Board of Directors (1964-1967), National Vice President (1967) and National President (1968). In 1974, Charles joined the Ruritan National Office Staff and served as Executive Secretary (1979-1983), where he authored the Ruritan National Foundation for Ruritan National. In addition to his Ruritan involvement, Charles was actively involved in Rotary and was named a Paul Harris Fellow for his years of dedicated service. Following his retirement from the Monroe County School System (1974) and the National Ruritan Staff (1983), he embarked on yet another career as a Board Member and National Instructor with AARP, where he traveled extensively throughout the United States until he finally retired to full-time farming. During the mid-1980s, the Secretary of Agriculture appointed Charles to the National Rural Development Advisory Council, where he worked on a National Rural Policy. Charles also served for many years on the WVU Forestry and Agricultural Advisory Committee and was named to the Agriculture Hall of Fame. In addition, he served in other organizations, including the Union Chamber of Commerce, Monroe Lodge # 77 AF & AM (50-year member), Beni Kedem Shrine, Farm Bureau, Volunteer Fire Department, local, state and national Cattlemen Associations. One of Charles' favorite activities, because of his love of the land and farming background, was his participation on the Advisory Committee to the West Virginia State Fair Board of Directors, where he served many years and was recently appointed as Emeritus to the Advisory Committee. Charles was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather, but most of all he was a devout Christian. He and his family have and continue to be faithful members of Trinity United Methodist Church in Pickaway, where he served for many years on a variety of boards and committees. He also taught Sunday school, once again exhibiting his love of teaching, and was a District Lay Leader. Not only did Monroe County lose a friend, but Charles Allen Jr. touched the lives of many people throughout West Virginia and surrounding states. His charm, engaging wit, friendly spirit, along with organizational and leadership skills, enabled him to touch lives in many ways. He will be missed by family and friends, business associates and former students, but those whose lives he touched will be thankful for their "walk" with him. Funeral arrangements are being planned by Groves Funeral Home, Union, with visitation on Thursday, August 27, 2009, from 1 to 3 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m. Public graveside service will be held at New Lebanon Cemetery on Friday, August 28, 2009, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Allen Johnson and the Rev. Gene Fullen officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has kindly requested that monetary donations be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church, in care of Hazel Shrader, Rt. 2, Box 230, Pickaway, WV 24976, or The Charles Allen Educational Fund, in care of Ruritan National, PO Box 487, Dublin, VA 24084.