Charles Arnold Nell, 90, died on May 18, 2016 in Hendersonville, NC following a brief illness.

Born May 14, 1926, in Pensacola, he was the son of Eugene Michael Nell and Mary Lee Sharp. As a young boy he played Mite and Midget Little League Baseball in a sand lot at W. Gregory and G Street and later attended Pensacola High School. Drafted by the Army in 1944, he was sent to Le Havre, France, arriving on Armistice Day. He achieved the rank of Platoon Sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1946.

He was employed by Southern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Company for 20 years, and later served as Executive Vice President of the NW Florida Crippled Children’s Association. He was an active member of Civitan International, receiving the Club, District and International Honor Keys for his volunteer service.

He joined the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks in 1961, and remained an active Elk for the rest of his life, serving as Exalted Ruler of Lodge 497, and later Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the Great Northwest District of Florida. He became a life member in 1996.

Charles was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Pensacola, where he trained acolytes for more than 20 years. He will also be remembered for his volunteer service to Escambia Westgate School and Miracle League of Pensacola.

Charles Nell is survived by his wife of 69 years, Emily Louise Kiedinger Nell; son Terril Arnold Nell (Cathy) of Brevard, NC; granddaughters Amanda Paige Nell and Emily Faith Nell, and sister Eleanor Genevieve Hess of Pensacola. He was predeceased by brothers Eugene Cromwell Nell and William Pope Nell, and by a sister, Mary Lee Sherhouse.

The family will receive friends on June 7, 2016 between 5:00 and 7:00 pm at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Blvd. Funeral Service will take place on June 8, 2016 at 10:00 am, Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, with interment immediately following at Barrancas National Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Louise Nell, c/o 522 Feedrock Road, Brevard, NC, 28712. Memorial donations can be made to the Pensacola Humane Society, 5 N. Q Street, Pensacola, FL 32505 or to Escambia Westgate School, 10050 Ashton Brosnaham Road, Pensacola, FL, 32534.