More detail on this person: Charles "Lani" Wingate WINGATE Charles "Lani" Wingate (Col. U.S. Army Ret.), 76, passed away January 8, 2007. Lani was born in Evanston, IL and grew up in Hawaii. He moved to the United States as a teenager, joined the United States Army in 1947 and was deployed to Japan as an M.P and served in the Korean and Viet Nam Wars. He loved his country and flag and was proud of the privilege to serve both. During his distinguished military career, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (for heroism while participating in aerial combat), The Legion of Merit, The Silver Star (for gallantry in action), The Bronze Star with three Oak Leaf Clusters, The Air Medal (47 awards), The Purple Heart (for wounds received in action), The Army Commendation Medal, The Combat Infantry Badge, The Master Aviator Badge and The Master Parachutist Badge. He also achieved the rank of Master Sergeant, attended OCS, was a member of the OCS Hall of Fame, and achieved the rank of Full Colonel. Lani was an active member of The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Lani took the time to help those in need and was extremely active in Habijax where he was a member of the "Wednesday Gang" and the "Friday Specials" and co-chaired the Episcopal Diocese of Florida's Katrina relief endeavor. Lani was very proud of his family and loved each one of them dearly, especially his wife of 52 years Betty. He is also survived by their children; three sons, Barry, Jerry, Bobby, and two daughters, Catherine Sharp and Patricia Gillam; fourteen grandchildren, Aaron, Braden, Steve, Jason, Evan, McKenna, Kendall, Morgan, McKenzie, Marilyn, Cydney, Mallory, Shelby and Charlie Mae; one great-granddaughter, Charlotte. A service to celebrate Lani's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 13, 2007 at The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, 12236 Mandarin Road with The Rev. John R. Palarine officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements under the direction of HARDAGE-GIDDENS MANDARIN FUNERAL HOME.
Burial information: Cremated, Ashes given to family or friend
This information was last updated 04/01/2021
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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