Charles Greenhaw

Leslie Charles Greenhaw, affectionately known as "Charles," age 81, of Oklahoma City, passed away on the morning of October 8, with his son by his side. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy of generosity, devotion to family, and a life spent helping, encouraging, and cheering on others.

Charles was a man who loved the Lord, loved his family, and understood that the measure of a life wasn't found in what he accumulated, but in what he gave away. And Charles was always giving.

An exceptional athlete from an early age, Charles could often be found behind the plate as a Hawthorne Gorilla and later continued playing through his first year of college. Sports and competition were woven into who he was. During junior high, he suffered nephritis, a serious kidney illness that threatened his athletic future. Despite the risks, he fought his way back to the sports he loved. That competitive spirit stayed with him throughout his life, especially when it came to Oklahoma Sooners football and New York Yankees baseball. Win or lose, he remained a loyal fan, though those close to him knew he occasionally offered coaching advice from the comfort of his living room.

Charles spent much of his working life in the family grocery business, Greenhaw's Supermarket in Midwest City, and for a time owned a grocery store in Newkirk. There, he and Carla opened not only their business but also their home to neighbors, church friends, and anyone who happened to need a meal, conversation, or place to belong. For Charles, the grocery business was about far more than selling groceries. It was about building community, serving others, and treating people like family.

He possessed an extraordinary spirit of generosity, often giving whatever bills or coins happened to be in his pockets to someone in need. Helping others wasn't something Charles had to think about. It was simply part of who he was.

For 62 years, Charles shared life with his beloved wife, Carla. Together they built a beautiful family, celebrated life's blessings, and walked through its deepest valleys. Their marriage was a testament to God's love, marked by commitment, grace, and faithfulness.

Charles was the proud father of two children, Christa and Coby. In 2022, the family experienced the heartbreaking loss of their cherished Christa following her long and courageous journey with cancer. Though her earthly life ended before his, the love between Charles and Christa remains forever woven into his story and legacy.

Among Charles's greatest joys were his three granddaughters, whom he absolutely adored. They held a special place in his heart, and his love for them was one of the clearest reflections of the man he was. He never missed a Grandparents' Day, concert, cheer competition, cookie-eating contest, or simply an opportunity to sit down and read them a book. If they were involved, Charles was there.

In his final years, Charles made his home at The Grand in Bethany, Room 106, where he was lovingly cared for as illness changed the familiar rhythms of his life. Though sickness took much, it could not erase the incredible life he lived, the sparkle in his eyes, the friendships he cherished, or the love he so freely gave.

Most evenings, you could find his son, Coby, sitting beside him, sneaking in a Braum's treat, telling jokes, solving the world's problems, or watching whatever happened to be on television. Charles's best friend, Chris, faithfully spent Fridays with him, reminiscing about old memories while making a few new ones along the way. His sister, Cleta, also visited often, and after all those years, they could still finish each other's sentences... and occasionally each other's stories.

While Room 106 served as his earthly home for more than two years, his family finds great comfort in knowing that he has now taken up residence in his eternal home with his Savior, where all things are made new, every tear is wiped away, and every reunion is forever.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Buford Clinton Greenhaw and Josephine Clara Greenhaw (née Whitby); his daughter, Christa English; his sister, Bobbie Tritten (Ronald); and his brother, Buford "Clinton" Greenhaw II.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carla; his son, Coby (Shelly) Greenhaw; his sister, Cleta (H.L.) Champion; his son-in-law, Jon English; and his granddaughters, Kaylee English, Kinley Greenhaw, and Kamden Greenhaw, along with many beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Grand, as well as, Good Shepherd Hospice, for their thoughtful and loving care of Charles, our husband, dad, brother, friend and “pops.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center or WINGS, A Special Needs Community.

Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home, 14624 N. May Avenue, Oklahoma City.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, at Quail Springs Baptist Church, with interment to follow at Mustang Cemetery.