Charles “Charlie” died peacefully at his home in The Villages of Florida on May 19, 2026, at the age of 85. As the oldest child (of three) of Charles Graham and Margaret Seiple Graham, he grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. His first job was a part-time grocery store stock boy while still in elementary school. He excelled at many sports and was a dedicated student. Charlie graduated from Northwood High School in 1959 after setting the Maryland State Long Jump record his senior year, achieved fluency in French, and was the class valedictorian.

Charlie turned down appointments at the Naval Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, and full scholarship offers to Harvard and the University of Maryland to attend his first choice, Duke University, on full ROTC scholarship. Upon graduation, he served seven years of active duty as a U.S. Navy pilot/navigator, two of those years in Vietnam (1967 & 1968) in a combat theater. He also had the opportunity to navigate around the world mapping magnetic north as part of Project Magnet. Charlie served an additional fifteen years in the U.S. Naval Reserve and retired as a Navy Captain (O-6).

Upon returning to civilian life, he started a family and pursued a second career in the financial advisory field with Walston & Company in Washington, D.C. and then with Merrill Lynch in Bethesda, MD. He attended night school at American University for a Master’s in Finance and initially struggled until his hard work and dedication led to an opportunity to open a new office for Legg Mason in Montgomery Village, MD. He served as branch manager for many years and retired in 2013 after being a full-time financial advisor for over a forty-year career. Barron’s awarded him a “Top 100” financial advisor in the U.S. at the height of his financial career, among many other industry accolades. He also mentored many young advisors along the way, including his daughter, who continues to work with family members of Charlie’s original clients.

Charlie was a founding member and first president of the Montgomery Village Rotary Club in 1983, and he was dedicated to community service and charity work. For the community, Charlie served as volunteer treasurer of Grace United Methodist Church for over ten years and also as a longtime member of the Board of Trustees for Asbury Methodist Home. He was an active youth sports coach and generously sponsored many youth sports teams for decades with the Montgomery Village Sports Association.

His love of traveling developed in the Navy, and he eventually visited over 125 countries — Switzerland and New Zealand were his favorites, along with Hawaii and Alaska in the U.S. He shared this love with his family on many amazing trips throughout the remainder of his life. He learned to enjoy nature’s pristine scenery and wildlife, Shetland Sheepdogs, and eventually cats. He was well known for feeding the deer, raccoons, and many varieties of birds in his backyard. His garage was full of “deer apples,” seed, and corn. Charlie loved playing and watching sports his entire life: especially college basketball, golf, and football. Charlie was a dedicated Duke Blue Devil fan and went to many ACC and NCAA tournaments. He learned to snow ski along with his young children. His love of snorkeling and fish led him to become a certified scuba diver, and he eventually completed over 140 ocean dives. He organized and attended his high school reunions and kept in touch with lifelong friends. He was married to Jennifer (Cross) for 37 years. He eventually retired to The Villages in FL, equipped with a personalized Duke University golf cart, and enjoyed many rounds of golf during his time there. Charlie scored four lifetime holes-in-one and also remained an active bridge player until his health declined in his last years in Florida.

He was a devoted father and grandfather, always generous with his advice, resources, and especially his time. Charlie was a profound influence on his two children, relatives, friends, colleagues, and his many grandchildren.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Robin. Charles Newton Graham, Jr. is survived by his brother Robert Graham (Barbara) of Reno, NV; his daughter Susan Graham Harrington (Greg Blaisdell) of McLean, VA; and son Douglas Graham (Holly) of Columbus, OH. He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Colton, Connor, Chase & Cadyn Harrington, Samantha & Asher Blaisdell, and Alexa, Emily, David & Colin Graham, along with 2 great-grandchildren: Harmony & Sovereignty Harrington.

The family will send out information on funeral services when available. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests donations in Charlie’s memory to the Humane Society of Sumter County to honor his lifelong love of all animals. https://hssc-capital-campaign.netlify.app/ or Operation Second Chance, an organization for Wounded Warriors. https://operationsecondchance.org/