Obituary of Charles T. Millirons

Charles 'Charlie' Taylor Millirons, Sr. was born on June 25, 1934 in Fyffe, Alabama to Charles A. and Annie B. Millirons. The second youngest of eight children, he was raised on the family farm that had a country store. He graduated from Geraldine High School after lettering in football and baseball. Shortly after graduation he moved to Chattanooga to work, and attend the University of Chattanooga. He also served in the Tennessee National Guard. It was at Dupont that he met Marjorie Jaynes Millirons from Florence, Alabama, and commenced a lifelong romance that endured for over half-a-century. They were married on August 25, 1957 by Flavil Nichols at the Ridgedale Church of Christ. Their first home was on North Germantown Road, later moving to East Brainerd Road and then off Shallowford Road. Charlie began working at WRCBTV, Channel 3 in 1960, and he and Marjorie's first child, Charles, Jr., was born in 1962. Their second child, Timothy Jason, was born in 1966. That same year, Charles and Marjorie built their house in the developing Holly Hills subdivision, where they lived until their recent deaths. He and Marjorie took extensive camping trips throughout the country with their sons through their high-school years. He retired from Channel 3 in 1997 after 37 years, many of them as production manager. He helped facilitate the television station's move from McCallie Avenue to its present location, and was well-known for his strong work ethic, creativity, innovation, humility, patience, and great humor. He mentored many people starting their television careers who are now throughout the country. He worked many telethons, not only as a job, but because of his love for others, especially children. Following retirement, Charlie then helped Marjorie, whom he affectionately called Mickie, in caring and loving the children at the Millirons Childcare Center for a few years until she closed the center. Known as 'Pop', he was adored by hundreds of Marjorie's daycare children. They then traveled the world on many extensive trips, and doted over their three grandsons. He continued to actively direct the Bible Correspondence program at East Ridge Church of Christ which over more than three decades taught hundreds of people about God's love and salvation. They were active members of that Church over 30 years being involved in the Senior Saints and other activities. He served as a deacon there for several years. He was a member of East Lake Lodge F. and A.M. for over 50 years; and an active 33Ëš Scottish Rite member in Chattanooga where he managed the audio system, and regularly participated in the Mercy Shoe Program for children. He and Marjorie were avid sports fans particularly for the UTC Mocs and the Alabama Crimson Tide. They regularly-attended Alabama home football games. He was an avid reader of the Bible and classic novels, his last being books of ancient Greek literature, and daily worked the New York Times crossword puzzles. He and his wife regularly walked for health and relaxation. Following a two-vehicle collision on October 17, 2010 as he and Marjorie were returning home from Sunday evening church service, Charlie fought his numerous injuries with great strength, humility, and courage in the Surgical ICU at Erlanger Hospital. After a long, hard battle, Charlie as God's humble servant was called Home to enjoy his reward in eternity on November 10, 2010 to await his very beloved wife, Marjorie, who joined him two days later on November 12. His loving family was with him as he passed. The family is very grateful for all the prayers, support, and encouragement shown to them and the family during his last days on earth, particularly the area churches, neighbors, Channel 3 staff, Scottish Rite members, friends, the wonderful ICU staff, coworkers, and many others. Charlie is survived by two sons, Charles, Jr. and Timothy, two daughters-in-law, Sheila and Elizabeth, three grandsons, Charles Taylor, III, Charles Emory, and Harrison Taylor, all of Chattanooga, brother Jim Millirons of Morrow, GA and sister Nila Jones of Albertville, AL, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. A public memorial service to celebrate the lives of Charlie and Marjorie is planned for December 4, 2010 at 3 pm at the East Ridge Church of Christ in Chattanooga. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the East Ridge Church of Christ Bible Correspondence Program, or the Chattanooga Scottish Rite Mercy Shoe Fund. Arrangements are by Legacy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Soddy-Daisy, TN. Share your memories, stories and photos at www.legacyfuneralhome.com. CHATTANOOGA (WRCB)- He was the strong, silent type, who mentored dozens of aspiring TV directors, master control technicians and camera operators. Charles Millirons Sr., one of Channel 3's longest-serving employees died Wednesday night at the age of 76. We knew him as "Charlie" from his 37-year career at WRCB, from 1960 until his retirement in 1997. Charlie and his wife Marjorie were involved in a two-vehicle accident on the evening of Sunday October 17 on Jenkins Road. Both were hospitalized with critical injuries, and spent several weeks in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Charlie could not recover from multiple fractures, a collapsed lung and other injuries. Marjorie, 78, passed away from her injuries, two days later on Friday morning. They were married 53 years. A Chattanooga Police Department spokesperson says the investigation is continuing into whether the driver of the other vehicle, a 16-year-old female, will be charged. The police report states that the young driver had veered into the Millirons' side of the road. 1997 retirement party When we said goodbye to Charlie in 1997, we honored him with a surprise party. Dozens of his colleagues, past and present, came to wish him well. They thanked him for teaching them how to direct live television, how to organize a film library, and how to run a studio camera. Those of us who work on the other side of the camera thanked him for making us look good, and for taking good care of our viewers for 37 years. He helped make the transition from our original studio on McCallie Avenue to our current facility on Whitehall Road. He was here when we made the long-awaited switch from black-and-white to color. He did it all with his ever-present unlit cigar, a smile, and a kind word. Life outside the studio Charlie also had a busy life and career outside the TV studios. He was an avid football fan, often seen cheering for the Mocs and the Crimson Tide. He and Marjorie raised a great family, still making a positive impact in Chattanooga's civic and religious communities. They ran a successful family daycare program, praised by parents and children alike. Among his proudest accomplishments was a program inspired by his work at East Ridge Church of Christ, where he was a deacon. For the past 33 years, he and Marjorie worked with students in Bible Correspondence courses. Keeping meticulous files, they graded the work of students from across the country in eight courses, celebrating their achievements, and as Charlie said, "making a difference in their lives." Tributes from colleagues and friends Tributes from Charlie's colleagues and friends have appeared on Facebook as news of his death spread. Bill Buchanan, a former WRCB production manager now in Texas wrote, "Charlie was a great guy with a wonderful attitude. The number of rookies who learned the ropes under his tutelage are in the hundreds if not thousands. He will be greatly missed." Former WRCB producer and webmaster Mike Andrews, now at UTC, wrote "Charlie was a class act and had great stories about the early days of Channel 3. He told me he had to direct a show live on Sundays, and he was the only one in Master Control. So how did control the camera, as well as the audio at the same time? He rigged a mop handle to reach the sound board!" Brenda Latham, a family friend wrote, "You just didn't get any better than Charlie Millirons. Our community has lost a great and very humble man." All of us in the WRCB family send our thoughts and prayers to the Millirons family in their time of loss.