Charlie Fuller

Charlie Fuller (1937-2007) was an outstanding all-around athlete. He attended Tulane University and Western Kentucky University, playing football at both colleges. Although he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Charles chose to continue his professional career in the newspaper business.

He worked for the Louisville Courier-Journal as an assistant circulation manager and also as an assistant production manager for 13 years. In 1972, he accepted a job as the circulation manager for the Peoria Journal Star and then moved his family to Washington.

In 1979, he opened his first restaurant in Washington, called Charlie's. He later opened Champs and C.C. Fuller's.

Charles was the co-inventor of Safe-Base, the orange-and-white first base you see at baseball and softball games throughout North America.

An interest in land development turned into his passion and professional career. He was the owner of Creekwood Land Development.

As a volunteer for the Washington Recreation Association, he taught and coached the youth of Washington in all sports. Charlie's favorite quote was, "I never met a kid that I didn't like." He was instrumental in creating the 12th Man Organization in 1982, which continues to support the Washington Panther football program. He was a member of the Izaak Walton League for many years and also served on the Washington Community High School Board for several years. In 2018 Charlie was inducted into the inaugural class of the Washington Community High School Hall of Fame.

Charlie will be remembered for his giving spirit, his love of fishing in Canada and his deer sausage at Christmas time. He also loved to tell stories of his life in his home state of Kentucky.

He was a loving husband, father and grandpa who truly enjoyed his family.