Charles William Hargrave, affectionately known to most as ‘C.W.’, died peacefully at home in his beloved Southwest Washington, DC, on Friday morning. July 5, 2024.  He was 95 years old.

Born in Dandridge Tennessee, Hargrave was the only son of Lectia Snapp Hargrave, and the Reverend Walter Clarence Hargrave. Charles completed high school at Swift Memorial College where his father served as president from 1936 to 1941.  His experiences at Swift, a historically black college, was prominent in shaping his worldview on the importance of higher education for black Americans and his life-long commitment to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

After completing high school, he attended Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1949. While attending JCSU, he became a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Rho Chapter) in 1946. In college he served as manager of the men’s basketball team and served on the student council.  After college, Charles earned a master’s degree in chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis (Missouri).

He continued his lifelong commitment to the advancement of his alma mater by serving as President of the Johnson C. Smith University DC Alumni Chapter and on the JCSU National Alumni Association as 1st Vice President, Treasurer, and Chaplin.  A steadfast supporter of the Golden Bulls, he continued to attend graduations, homecomings, and team sporting events throughout his life.

Inspired by his parents, role models and what he learned at various educational institutions he built his personal and professional life around leadership and community service to the black community, the Presbyterian Church and to the community at large.
Charles gave many years of honorable service in the U.S. Military. Included in his service was the position of Health Physicist at the Army Chemical Center and serving as Commanding Officer for two units in the United States Naval Reserve.  He retired at the rank of Captain.

During his career In Hargrave served as scientific analyst at the Oakridge Operations Office of the Atomic Energy Commission (Oakridge, TN) and he also worked at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as Technical Information Manager.  He retired from this position in 1989 after 27 years of dedicated Federal government service,

A committed enthusiastic citizen of the District of Columbia, he gave his time and effort to various community leadership roles.  Among these were serving five terms as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, Area Representative for the DC Board of Election, and Treasurer and Executive Board Member of the Friends of Southwest, DC.

His commitment to service was seen in his 75 years membership in the brotherhood of his beloved Omega Psi Phi fraternity.  The respect and love of his brothers was reflected in his being recognized as the Alpha Omega Chapter Man of the Year and Chairman of the Senior Brothers Committee.

A lifelong member of Presbyterian Church, Charles was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of DC since 1968.  He was an ordained Elder, and Commissioner of the National Capital Presbytery. He also served as Chair of the Committee on Representation, the Committee on Higher Education, and the Committee on Particular Constituencies.

He was a life-long committed supporter of the Washington Redskins/ Commanders football team.  Accompanied by his wife, Iona, Charles also supported the arts in DC, holding membership in and season tickets to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Charles is survived by his wife of 55 years, Iona (Nona) Lear Taylor Hargrave, his beloved cousins Mary N. Winton of Knoxville TN, Peggy (Walter) Dockery of Morristown NJ and Walter Henry Mills of Dandridge TN.    His memory will continue to be cherished by especially supportive nieces, Dr. Kyndal Beavers, Nicole Chestang, Carla (Willie) Hardeman and Liesl Hudson, his nephew, Thomas S. Beavers, II and a host of loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends throughout the United States. He will also be missed by all members of the JCSU Alumni Club of Washington DC especially lifelong friends Lyda Helena Slade, Marion Massey, and Clarence Wade.

A celebration of the life of Charles W. Hargrave will take place on Friday. September 6, 2024, at 10:00 am at Northeastern Presbyterian Church, 2112 Varnum Street NE, Washington, DC, followed by interment at the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico.