Reverend Charles W. Courtoy was born in Jasper, Fla. and passed away on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Lakeland, Fla. He was 84 years of age. Curtoy was a graduate of Jasper High School, Florida Southern College (BA), Duke Divinity School (Masters) and Vanderbilt Divinity School (PHD). He was an ordained United Methodist Minister, serving congregations in Lakeland, Tampa and Dunedin. He also served as the Florida Conference Youth Director from 1967 to 1969 and the National Youth Director of the United Methodist Church from 1969 to 1976. In addition, he was appointed the District Superintendent in the greater Tampa Bay area and was the Executive Director of Church Development for the United Methodist Church of Florida.
Courtoy valued education, having earned both masters and doctorate degrees. He served as a trustee at both Florida Southern College and Bethune Cookman University. Both schools honored him by bestowing him with honorary degrees.
Doctor "C," as he was affectionately called, is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mildred Ann Ivey Courtoy ("Mitty"); daughter, Lisa Bennett (husband Brad); daughter, Teri Ronk (husband Doug); daughter, Melanie Guidry (husband Bill); son, Steve Courtoy (wife Laurie); seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren (with one on the way) and sister, Mary Ann Courtoy.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Courtoy-Ivey scholarship fund at Florida Southern College at www.flsouthern.edu/give, in the "Other" field under "Area of Giving." Please enter "Courtoy / Ivey Scholarship" or mail checks to: Florida Southern College, Office of Development, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland, Fla. 33801.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Nov. 20, at a time yet to be determined, at the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel on Florida Southern College's campus with a fellowship time to follow. The event may be attended virtually for those restricted by distance or sickness.