Charles Shepard Midgley, age 74, of Gadsden, Alabama passed away on Saturday, November 30, 2024.Shep was born in Gadsden on April 22, 1950 to Jeanne Carleton Shepard and Charles Holley Midgley. The family moved to Auburndale, Massachusetts when Shep was four years old and returned to Gadsden when he entered Disque Junior High School. He graduated from Gadsden High School in 1968 and from the University of Alabama in 1973, where he was an officer in the Kappa Alpha Order.
Shep played in rock bands from junior high through college touring the south. He was a talented guitarist. He was retired from Phillip Morris, Inc. Shep enjoyed his experiences in the Gadsden Quarterback Club and the Red Elephant Club. Roll Tide! He was a member of SCS, The Century Club and the Holiday Club. His favorite activity was attending Supper Club which began in 1976 with wonderful friends and continues to this day.
Shep enjoyed playing and listening to all kinds of music. His favorite place on earth was his cabin at Moon Lake in Mentone, AL which as been in the family since before his birth. He loved animals, especially dogs. He served on the Advisory Board of the Humane Society.
Shep was preceded in death by his parents, step mother Sue Midgley, step father, Dr. Scott Vance and his brother Charles Holley Midgley Jr. who was his best friend.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cheryl Rutledge Midgley, nephew Chas Midgley, and brother in law Randall Rutledge, and a host of cousins and many dear friends. His fur baby Eleanor Rigby misses him terribly.
In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made to the local animal rescues, animal shelters, ir your favorite charity.
A quote from a friend of Shep’s “He was a gentleman and a gentle man.”
