In memoriam: Charles Allen 'Charlie' Stott, retired communications director, Office of the President, CALS, Extension
In his own words, he had “a wonderful life.” That life ended for Charlie Stott on Aug. 12, 2023, at his home in Blacksburg.
Stott was born Aug. 25, 1948, as the middle son of George W. and Sue Daniels Stott. He grew up in east Tennessee and graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1966. He pursued studies at the University of Tennessee before enlisting in the U.S. Army, where he served in Vietnam and at the National Security Agency in Laurel, Maryland.
On his return from Vietnam in 1970, he married his love, Patsy Lavender. Classmates since elementary school and with brothers who were best friends, they had their first date at the county fair. From the start of college on, they were partners in every sense of the word, standing together through life until Charlie’s death.
After his military enlistment ended, Charlie enrolled at the University of Maryland to finish a degree in journalism, a field he chose because it allowed him to follow his innate curiosity across multiple areas. He knew there would always be something new to learn and interesting stories every day. It was during his time in Maryland that he became an avid Baltimore Orioles fan.
After graduation, he worked as writer and editor for several local Maryland newspapers, including a chain of 10 weekly newspapers in Baltimore and Howard counties, then as a general reporter at the Morning Herald in Hagerstown, Maryland, and at the Anniston Star in Alabama as a sports writer. Time spent at the Talladega race track made him a NASCAR fan, too.
In 1984, Charlie and Patsy settled in Blacksburg when Patsy joined the faculty in the theatre arts department. Here, their beloved children, Erin and John, were born. As the kids arrived, Charlie joined Virginia Tech, first as a writer with the Sea Grant Program under George Flick, then as director of communications for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Virginia Cooperative Extension.
From 2005-15, Stott worked in the Office of President writing speeches for President Charles Steger, through some of the best and worst times for the university.
As a staff member, he was involved with establishing a voice for staff in university governance, which led to the creation of the Staff Senate. In 1992, he received a President’s Award for Excellence for that work.
He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law (Mildred and John Lavender), brother-in-law (J. Brice Lavender), aunt and uncles (Val, Pat, Bill, and Jack Daniels), and dear neighbor-friends (Dot and Pietro Reck).
He is survived by his wife, Patsy; daughter Erin of Brookings, South Dakota; and son John (Diane) of Philadelphia. Additionally, his brothers Mike (Leslie) and Danny (Barbara); aunt Eva Daniels, nieces and nephews Jeff, Chris, Kelly (Glenn), Anna, plus grandnephews and grandnieces Jake (Michaela), Carmen, Hank, Cole, Molly, and Scout survive him.
A public celebration of his life and family visitation will be held Saturday, Aug. 19, from noon to 2 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive in Blacksburg. The family thanks the staff of Good Samaritan Hospice for assisting him and the family through his last days.
Everyone who knew Charlie speaks of him as kind and caring. The family would like you honor him by doing acts of kindness for others, by cheering for the underdog, or by donating school supplies as we start a new academic year.
This article was submitted by the family of Charlie Stott.
