Charles P. Gallups

Charles Prather Gallups, 75, died Monday, January 13, 2025. A recent resident of Carrollton, VA, Charles was born in Memphis, TN. He grew up and spent much of his life in Chattanooga, TN where he retired as a diesel mechanic for Norfolk Southern Railway. After retirement, Charles moved to Chino Valley, AZ in 2007 where he very much enjoyed the weather and beauty Northern AZ has to offer. He enjoyed working in his beautiful yard and on his big red diesel truck. Charles moved to Carrollton, VA in 2018 to be closer to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved his family more than anything.

Charles also deeply loved his country. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1967, immediately following graduation from Red Bank High School in Chattanooga, TN. Charles rose to the rank of SGT. and was part of the Air Force military police and also Presidential Security while stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. While stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, Charles met the love of his life, his wife Shelley, in Great Falls, Maryland. Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Charles and his wife moved home to Chattanooga, TN. Charles attended diesel mechanic school for Norfolk Southern Railway, where he spent his entire professional career. While in Chattanooga, TN, Charles served as a proud member of numerous Masonic organizations and contributed to many charitable organizations throughout the years.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, C. Prather and Charlene Gallups, and his sisters, Jenny Lynn and Jeri Sue. Survivors include his wife, Shelley Gallups; his son, Zachary Gallups and wife Erica; six grandchildren, Douglas and his wife Alli, Eric and his wife Kegn, and Justin and his wife Stefanie; five great grandchildren, Roman, Emilia, Gabriel, Abel, and Bristol; his sisters, Jeanne Fletcher and husband, Dave and Patsy Smith and husband, Earl and Paula Goodwin; his brother, Roger Gallups and wife Jo.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Prescott VA and Hampton VA Medical Centers for their care of Charles over the years.

The family will hold a private celebration of life and internment will be held at Chattanooga National Cemetery on March 21st, 2025 at 12:30pm