Charles Andrew Gilford Jr.

Charles Andrew Gilford, Jr. was born on Monday, June 7th, 1948, at Cincinnati General Hospital. On Thursday – January 9th, 2025, Charles transitioned from this life to be with the LORD! He was preceded in death by his parents Charles Andrew Gilford Sr., and Elsa Love, older sister Cheryl Harris and baby daughter, Angela Gilford.

As a young man, Charles attended St. Simon Elementary School in Cincinnati, where he made life-long friends whom he still has to this day. Charles went on to attend Princeton High School in Sharonville, Ohio, where he was a star athlete in Greco-Roman Wrestling and Football. He won numerous championships and awards as he excelled in both sports. In recent years he learned that a plaque and picture to honor him and his accomplishments was placed in the Wrestling Room at Princeton High School. Charles was also quite the intellectual - who loved to read, research, analyze, and debate. And, when it came to debating – no one could do it better. 

Charles attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio on a football scholarship where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. Charles was coached by the late-great Bo Schembechler, whom he greatly respected. Bo taught him many things including the importance of hard work and perseverance. Charles shared that Bo took him under his wing and was like a second father to him. Charles played football with a group of young men who became closely knitted together forming a very strong brotherhood. Larry Draper, Walter Barnes, Bill Leftwich, Larry Thompson, Bobby Glover, Audley Smith, and Spider Deuce - all became life-long friends.

Fondly known as “Chuck,” “Charlie,” “Charlie Bear,” and “Giant.” Charles was a wonderful powerful force of life! He was a gifted singer who performed & interacted with a number of well-known performers coming out of Cincinnati, Ohio - like Roger Trautman, Bootsy Collins & George Clinton with the Funkadelics and Gerald Brown formerly with Shalamar. Charles also performed with the Pointer Sisters and was scheduled to go on tour with them, until GOD called him while he was on stage performing. He heeded that call from GOD and never turned back!

Charles got Saved – Baptized in JESUS name and filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost on January 25th, 1975. Under the leadership, mentorship and guidance of Bishop Jasper J. Phillips and Mother Beulah K. Phillips – strong seasoned spiritual leaders at Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church in Cincinnati, Ohio Charles learned about GOD and HIS Word! He was also mentored by the late great Johnny James (a.k.a. The Walking Bible) who later called Charles “Trailblazer,” as he blazed new trails in being about his FATHER’s (GOD’s) business. These highly anointed, spiritual elders helped set Charles on the path to become an impactful Man of GOD, whom GOD used to evangelize, preach, minister, prophesy, sing and teach - sharing the Good News of JESUS CHRIST. Charles was an ordained Elder and an anointed vessel used by GOD to touch, impact, inspire and help change many lives. He was a member of Zion Temple Pentecostal Church in Denver, Colorado.

Charles was a Dean of Students at Cherry Creek High School where he was fondly known as Dean Gilford. He was an Education Administrator who sincerely cared about students as he guided and helped them to become the best versions of themselves. He assisted students and their family members, helping them navigate their lives as they pursued their high school diplomas and life-long dreams & aspirations after graduation.

Charles possessed many gifts, which included writing beautiful inspirational poems for those whom he loved – especially for his wife - Tracy! He was a gift and an inspiration to many – speaking life and Blessings and affirming so many whom he encountered. He wanted nothing but GOD’s best for everyone!

Charles was spiritual, strong, passionate, loving, kind, loyal, discerning, analytical, self-assured, gregarious, quite humorous, lots of fun, loud at times, and soft & gentle at others, very direct (you did not have to guess about how he felt or what he thought), and a fierce protector of those whom he loved and those whom he saw being mistreated. 

The life Charles led speaks for itself! His walk with GOD is absolutely inspirational! Charles loved GOD and his family with all that was within him. His legacy lives on through those who deeply love him. As he has gone on to be with GOD in Glory (We can only imagine the great time he is having now!) he leaves behind for now his wife Tracy, his precious children Charles Gilford, III (Rikki), Carina Stewart (Roosevelt), Marcus Dailey, and Sidney Gilford, his precious grand-children Liliana Gilford and Charles Gilford IV, his sisters Charlotte (Penny) Woolen and Cassandra (Bunny) Gilford, his brother Carlton (Pudgy) Gilford (Dianne), father-in-law Thomas Bennet, Jr., brother-in-law Desmond Bennett (Sarah), sister-in-law Lisa Benett, nieces, nephews, cousins, remaining life-long friends, and countless others who knew, respected and loved this wonderful-beautiful man.

 Charles Andrew Gilford, Jr. – Mighty Man of GOD

Good and Faithful Servant of JESUS CHRIST – well-done!