Charles V. Painter

PAINTER, Charles V. (Charlie), age 75, of Centerville, OH, played his final match on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Charlie was born on June 5, 1947, in Columbus, OH, to the late Carlisle and Dorothy Painter to whom he was a loved and loving “favorite” son. He grew up on a farm in Dublin, OH with his parents and two adoring sisters Carla and Cathy. Growing up he was involved in 4-H and FFA. Charlie graduated from Dublin (Coffman) High School, class of 1965 where he made amazing lifelong friends. He played football for the “Shamrocks” and was All State. Charlie then went on to play college football with Wittenberg University where they won the national championship his Freshman year. Charlie graduated from Wittenberg University with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Mathematics in 1969, where he was also a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He continued his education earning a Master’s Degree from Wright State University in Guidance and Counseling. At his Alma Mater of Wright State University, he was the Women’s Head Tennis Coach from 1989-1999. There he was the winningest coach in their tennis history with 150 wins and the only coach to have the NCAA ranking for the tennis program. Charlie had a 50 year career in education and taught at a number of schools in the Miami Valley, 25 of those years at Fairmont High School. Charlie had lifelong passions for faith, education and athletics (especially football and tennis), and built character into the lives of countless individuals beyond their schooling and sporting careers. He lived a life of integrity and he would always say that “winning is important, but there is so much more to be learned than just the sport”. He served the mission of Jesus in his community through Normandy UMC and later at Christ Church UMC. One of the highest virtues he believed in was to “do the right thing”.

Charlie’s love affair with the sport of tennis was spurred by just that - a love affair. In hopes of improving the relationship with his wife to be, who just happened to be a tennis pro, he became her eager pupil. They built a beautiful life together, raising two incredible children. He then became an Elite USPTA Teaching Pro with more than 30 years’ experience. Charlie was one of the most accomplished coaches in the state. He had 866 career wins with tennis, 5 Hall of Fame inductions. He coached high school football for 15 years, as well as 20 years of wrestling officiating/coaching. He was inducted into the Ohio Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019. He received the OHSAA Sportsmanship Ethics and Integrity Award in 2014. Charlie was selected as the Boys GWOC Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2011 and Girls GWOC Coach of the Year 2004, 2009, 2020, and 2021. He was selected as the Mid-West USPTA High School Coach of the Year in 2012. He coached the Wando High School Boys Tennis Team, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, to two Lower State Championships in 2021 and 2022. He finished his coaching career this past fall after 9 years with the Alter Knights Girl’s Tennis Team. He founded the Miami Valley Tennis Coaches Association which promotes and recognizes the local tennis community. Charlie has been inducted into the Dayton Amateur Tennis Hall of Fame, and the Dublin City Schools and Athletic Halls of Fame. He was a member of the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association Executive board and was the tournament director of the OTCA Southwest District Team Tournament. In 2018 he received the Mike Kelly/ Don Donoher Coaching Award from the Dayton Agonis Club. Charlie was the South Carolina Region 7 coach of the Year in 2021 and the MVTCA Presidents Award recipient. He was the Endorser/Director of the OVTA Girls 16-18 District Tennis Tournament, and OHSAA State Tournament Referee. Charlie was ultimately honored and received the MVTCA/OTCA Lifetime Leadership award in 2022.

Even with all these accolades, Charlie would say his best accomplishment has and always will be his family Karen, Cristian, and Tory. He loved his family above all and treasured every minute raising them. Time spent in Charleston at the beach on the Isle of Palms in South Carolina and playing tennis anytime he could, were so special. He was their Superman, unwavering in his support and love. He embodied a beautiful soul. Charlie was their central force and their eternal rock.

He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years Karen Painter; children, Cristian Painter, Tory (Jess) Kirkland-Painter, siblings Carla (Gary) Wilber, and Cathy (Douglas) Dickson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.

A visitation will be held from 4-7pm on Friday March 24th, 2023, at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E Stroop Rd., Kettering, OH 45429. A service celebrating his life will start the following day, March 25th, 12 noon at Normandy UMC, 450 W. Alex Bell Rd. Dayton OH 45459, with Pastor Steve Rudisill officiating, followed by a graveside service at Woodland Cemetery. A livestream of the service will be available via Routsong's YouTube Channel ( https://www.youtube.com/@routsongfuneralhome9452 )

The family would like to express our thanks to friends, coaches, healthcare professionals including Hospice of Dayton, for their wonderful help and care. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family @ www.routsong.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Painter Family Scholarship Fund, www.united.edu/give, or The Miami Valley Tennis Coaches Association using venmo.com (@MVTCA).