Obituary for Earl Arthur Charity

YOUNGSTOWN - Earl Arthur Charity, 82, departed this life on Monday, Sept. 29, 2014, at his home.
He was born on Dec. 15, 1931, in Youngstown, a son of Burl Sr. and Collin A. Washington Charity.

After attending East High School, he became an amateur golden gloves boxing champion. He pursued that career by joining U.S. Army, where he served as a private first class from 1950 to 1951, as a member of the boxing team.

After serving honorably in the service, Earl moved to New York City in 1952, and began his professional boxing career. It was while in New York City that Earl met his future bride, Carol White. The couple married on Nov. 18, 1952, in Youngstown, where they made their home for the next 62 years.

Over the years, Earl owned several businesses, including nightclubs, a tire recapping service, a gas/service station and a grocery store that spanned a city block on Wilson Avenue. He could not get the boxing bug out of his life and he began training and mentoring young boxers at the Ringside boxing gym that he owned from 1980 through 2000. Along with the boxers and world champions that he trained, Earl traveled abroad to Australia, Indonesia, Japan, France, England, Germany and Italy, and also to many states in this country. Earl retired from training when he was physically unable to perform due to several disabling automobile accidents.

Earl was a lifetime active member of the Army and Navy Union USA, where he was the first to serve three terms as the Department Commander of Ohio and two terms as that organization’s first African American National Commander. He was actively involved in the community training and mentoring of many young men to become boxers. Earl served as second ward Precinct Committeeman for several years.

In his retirement, Earl, with his wife and his friend, Sonney, often enjoyed fishing. Earl also enjoyed mowing the grass on his riding mower, receiving visits from young men he trained to box, who loved him dearly, and reading the newspaper from beginning to end. He had a personal and individual relationship with his friends and family members. He was never reluctant to lend a helping hand to those in need, as he often shared a place at the Thanksgiving dinner table with someone less fortunate. He sacrificed everything that he had for his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Love of family meant everything to him.

Earl is survived by his loving wife Carol; his two daughters, Michelle Darlene Charity of Gainesville, Fla., and Patricia Ann Charity of Youngstown, with whom he made his home; his three sons, Earl Lamont of Youngstown, Toryanno of Cleveland, Eric Antione of Houston; brother-in–law Wayne Eugene Bell of Hawaii; his grandchildren, Earl Lee (LaShelda) Thompson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., and Brandy Lauren (David Vasquez) Thompson of Jacksonville; and a great-grandson, Damien Isiah Stewart of Jacksonville, whom he raised; and many more grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his two brothers, Robert (Gertrude) Charity of Youngstown and Franklin (Rachel) Charity of Canton; his sisters-in-law, Laura Charity of Youngstown and Patricia Charity of Birmingham, Ala.; his beloved cousins, Morris and Meredith Davis of New York; his niece, Corey Scott of Youngstown; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, whom he loved dearly.

His parents, Burl and Collin Charity; six brothers, Ronald, Nathaniel, Joseph, Burl, Elvin and Kenneth; sisters Bernice Ellison and Ruby Njorge; his first-born child, Mary Charity; beloved granddaughter, Lynette Elise Charity; and his mother-in-law, Clara Bell, preceded him in death ever after.
​
Interment for Earl will be at the Arlington National Cemetery with military honors in Arlington, Va.
Arrangements for Earl were entrusted to the Borowski Funeral Service and Oak Meadow Cremation Service.

- See more at: http://www.vindy.com/news/tributes/2014/oct/05/earl-arthur-charit/​

---