Charles James Mardis Sr., 82, of Copperas Cove died on May 27, 2021.
An interment service will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 20 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.
Charles was born on April 23, 1939, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.
He joined the U.S. Army in 1957, beginning his career of 22 years of military service.
Charles was a veteran of the Vietnam War and earned several medals, including the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star medal w/v Device, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal Clasp, Silver, 1 loop, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Army Occupation Medal (Berlin), Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation.
He celebrated a heart transplant, which gave him 24 more years with his wife, Dorothy R. Mardis. Charles and Dorothy were married for 62 years. They had four children: Charles J. Mardis Jr. and spouse Christine of Harker Heights, Tony Mardis and spouse Paul of Copperas Cove, Jacqueline Mardis of Copperas Cove, and Michael Mardis and Robin of Wheatridge, Colorado; and a grandson, David Mardis and Ally of Newton, Iowa.
After retirement, Charles volunteered his time supporting future and new heart transplant candidates and their families through the process.
Charles was known for his smile and kind heart. He had a passion for The Gift of Life through Organ Donation and was a source of positivity to others.
Memorials in his name can be made to Southwest Transplant Alliance at STAINFO@Organ.org
