Charlie Fuller

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

For 13 years, he worked for the Louisville Courier-Journal as an assistant circulation manager and assistant production manager. 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.

His interest in land development turned into his passion and professional career. He owned 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 I didn't like." He was instrumental in creating the 12th Man Organization in 1982, supporting the Washington Panther football program. He was a member of the Izaak Walton League for many years and 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 spirit of giving, 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.