Obituary for Charles Casper Fuchs
Published in Ledger from Dec. 11 to
Dec. 12, 2018 
LAKELAND
- Charles Casper Fuchs, 73, passed away on December 3, 2018 after a brief
illness. Charles, Mr. Fuchs, or Coach Fuchs, as he was known to many, was
born in Homestead, FL in 1945, and graduated from South Dade High School in
1963. After high school, he went on to play football, threw the discus and
shot-put for the Florida State Seminoles. After graduating from FSU with a
degree in Criminology in 1968, Charles earned his Master's Degree in
Administration and Supervision from the University of South Florida in
1975. He also served in the Naval Reserves.
Charles began his 42 year
career with Polk County Schools as a Geography and Driver's Education
teacher at Lakeland High School in 1968. After nine years in the classroom,
he became a Dean of Students in 1977, handling discipline issues at LHS. In
2003, he changed schools and became a Dean of Students at Lake Gibson High
School until he retired in 2010.
Charles enjoyed hunting, golfing and
especially fishing. As a young man, he was a commercial fisherman, catching
hundreds of pounds of tilapia from local lakes by cast net after a full day
of teaching. Later in life, Charles got his Captain's license and ran
Filet-and-Release Charters with his boat 'The Grunt Mugger.' His love for
fishing and for teaching about fishing led to the formation of a fishing
club at Lake Gibson High School. He also taught a fishing class for all
ages in the evenings. Making handmade fishing poles became one of his
hobbies. Charles found great pride in helping people become avid
fishermen.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Fred Fuchs, Jr.
and Barbara Williams Fuchs both of Homestead, FL, and his wife Judith
Daniels Fuchs, also of Homestead, FL. He leaves behind a daughter, Amy
Fuchs (Kevin) Wright, granddaughters, Erin Wright and Katie Wright of
Flowery Branch, GA; his brothers Robert (Michael) Fuchs of Homestead, FL,
William (Linda J.) Fuchs of Franklin, NC, Richard (Linda S.) Fuchs of
Jacksonville, FL; sister Susan (Rhonda) Fuchs of Chattanooga, TN, and many
nephews and nieces.
