Charles F. English, 94, president of APCO International, 1984-1985, and lifetime member, passed away November 5 in Cary, North Carolina. English worked in communications for the North Carolina Highway Patrol where he had overall engineering responsibilities for the highway patrol’s radio system and backbone microwave system, according to a 1981 APCO Bulletin article.
He was an APCO member since 1963 and member of the North Carolina Chapter. Among his positions in APCO were charter member of the North Carolina Chapter; chapter secretary/treasurer, 1968-78; national APCO executive committeeman, 1970-1978; chairman of the national APCO Resolutions and Bylaws Committee from 1973; chairman of the North Carolina Frequency Coordination Committee; and participant in the national APCO Project Series in the operational and technical areas.
Past APCO Presidents Nathan McClure III, Gary David Gray and APCO Life Member Linda (Lin) Ford recalled the accomplishments and contributions that English made to public safety communications.
During our years in service to APCO, Chuck was a strong and steady influence in all areas with APCO,” they wrote. He was “totally dedicated to his work with the highway patrol and his lifelong work in APCO, watching it flourish from a national membership of a thousand to its current membership of 36,000. Chuck was the perfect living definition of southern gentleman—always courteous, friendly and respectful. He never had a mean word to say against anyone, and he was a mentor to many. To know him was a privilege and honor. He will be missed deeply.”
He was preceded in death by his wife, Trilby Hensley English. In lieu of flowers, mourners may donate in his memory to Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, 204 Idol Street, Thomasville, North Carolina 27360 or to Ephesus Baptist Church, 6767 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607.
An obituary is available here.
