Charles William Diggs Sr.

Charles William Diggs Sr. (December 30, 1915 –May 20, 2014). Charles Diggs Sr. passed away peacefully at the Avalon Care Center Northpointe in Spokane, Washington at the age of 98. He had a full life that positively impacted many through his teaching, community service, and volunteerism. Charles was born in Morrilton, Arkansas in 1915 to sharecroppers John E. Diggs and Penina Meacham. He had a passion for education and after graduating from Philander Smith College and the University of Arkansas he began his science teaching career in 1951 at Dunbar High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. He and his wife (Mary Helen) moved their family to Spokane, Washington in 1955 where he continued teaching at Mead and John Rodgers High Schools, and finally John Shaw Junior High School until he retired in 1978. Charles introduced many young students to the fascination of Physical Science. During retirement, Charles volunteered at the Washington State Department of Corrections. He received the 1993 Corrections Volunteer of the Year Award for the Spokane area and was additionally awarded the Division of Community Corrections Eastern Area Volunteer of the Year Award. Charles served in the Army during World War II, assigned to Normandy, France after the D-Day invasion. He was deeply patriotic, proud of his military service, and was honored to participate in the Honor Flight program in Washington DC in 2010. Charles will be remembered as a kind, warm-hearted man with an infectious smile. He will be missed by his family and all who knew him. He is survived by one sister, Mable Henderson of San Diego, California; five children, Charles William Jr. of Calabasas, California, Robert of Phoenix, Arizona, Helen of Corvallis, Oregon, Thomas and John of Spokane, Washington; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and six step-children. Preceding him in death was son Ronald. Charles' life will be celebrated at the Sunset Chapel at Fairmont Memorial Park, 5200 W. Wellesley, Spokane, Washington at 9am on May 31, 2014. For those interested, memorial donations should be made in the name of Charles W. Diggs Sr. to Philander Smith College, 900 West Daisy Bates Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202.