A Giving Campaign
Salute to Service
Donate and Honor
Salute to Service provides an opportunity for donors to honor a loved one's life and military service. Their story and photo will be proudly displayed on our website as a lasting salute to their service and sacrifice. Your gift helps us continue providing comfort and dignity to all those we serve.
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Charles Massey Girling
Army
Charles Massey Girling
Army
Charles Massey Girling, Captain
October 2, 1934 – February 17, 2019
To some he was Captain, to others, Sir. He filled many roles and answered to many names: pa-paw, husband, brother, uncle, friend. But to me… he was Dad. Like many modern families, I have a family forest instead of a tree and am blessed with relationships of the whole, half and step varieties. He and my mom chose each other when I was only 6, and we inherited each other by default… but quickly solidified our own relationship with deep love and affection.
His career in the Army was over long before I knew him but was full of life lessons and stories that he loved to tell. He served in Germany for 2 years of active duty beginning in 1957 and also several years in the reserves after he discharged honorably to pursue his Master’s degree in horticulture at Mississippi State University. In college he was a member of the ROTC Rifle Team and ranked 8th in the nation.
Dad’s main career was as an executive in the home health care industry and we are so thankful that he was able to be home himself through his end-of-life journey.
Dad was a joke-teller, list-maker, encourager, gardener, Southern gentleman, balcony person, man of faith and veteran. I never had to wonder if he loved me because he told me all the time. Words like that are powerful… magical! They echo over a whole lifetime to the person who receives them. Lucky am I to have been a recipient of his love.
