Charles L. Gum's Obituary
Charles L. Gum, 77
Charles L. Gum 77 of Lakeland, FL died on Wednesday, Nov 28, 2018. Mr. Gum was born in Frankfort, MI to Clarence & Anna (Beck) Gum. He attended schools in Frankfort through the 10th grade and enjoyed participating in football, basketball, and track. His family then moved to Clare, MI in 1958 and he graduated from Clare High School in 1960, where he was a member of the National Honor Society. After high school he attended Central Michigan University from 1960 – 1964. On June 19, 1964 joined the US Navy and graduated from Officer Candidate school in Newport, RI, he then reported aboard the USS Ticonderoga aircraft carrier. While aboard the Ticonderoga he was awarded the Division Officer of the Weapons Dept., 5th Division Gunnery and guided missile Division officer. He received the 7th fleet letter of commendation for Viet Nam guided missile operations. He then left the ship on Dec. 17, 1967 and joined the naval reserve in Lansing, MI in 1968. He became a commanding officer various commands namely: USS Piedmont AD-17, USS Shenandoah AD-441 military sealift command middle-pacific 113. While serving his country he received various awards, medals and combat ribbons and retired with the rank of Captain on Oct. 1, 1991 with a combined total of 29 years of service, four years active duty and 25 years of reserve service. In 2014 he completed 50 years, as a Naval Reserve Commission Officer (Dec. 18, 1964 – Dec. 18, 2014). From 1968 to 1994 he worked with Farm Bureau in Lansing, MI where he held various supervisory and managerial positions involving computer technology. He moved to Lakeland, FL in 1996 where he found his paradise at Foxwood Village. He enjoyed playing poker on Wednesday nights, visiting family and friends up north, relaxing on the beaches and most of all watching his grandchildren grow up. He is survived by his son Robert (Kim) Gum of Lansing, MI, daughter Shari (Steve) Bobinski of Winter Garden, grandchildren Morgan, Mitchell, Dylan & Hope, sister Carol (Denny) Calkins of Lansing, MI, sister-in-law Jeanne Gum and many nieces and nephews. His family will receive friends on Monday, Dec 3rd from 10 am until 11 am with a service starting at 11 am at Gentry Morrison Funeral Home 3350 Mall Hill Rd. Lakeland. Mr. Gum will be laid to rest at 2:30 pm on Monday at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL.
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