Charles K Harriman

Charles Kiel (“Chuck”) Harriman, Sr., 85, of Lake Wales passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2014, at Life Care Rehabilitation Center in Winter Haven. Chuck was born in Pipestone, MN, February 21, 1929 and moved to Lake Wales in 1955 after serving in the Navy during the Korean War. He was a loving husband, father, uncle, and friend who loved playing golf, watching sports, fishing, and was an avid reader and contributor to our community as an entrepreneur and volunteer. From 1957 to 1990 Chuck was President of Lanes TV and Appliances and as a successful local businessman he found many ways to “give back” to the community. He held numerous leadership positions such as President of the Greater Lake Wales Merchant Association, Chairman of the Lake Wales Committee of 100, President of the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Polk County Comprehensive Health Planning Council, and President of the Lakes Wales Rotary Club. He shared his business acumen with the community in voluntary positions such as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Lake Wales Hospital and Director of Sun First National Bank, as well as, various city appointments and commissions. Chuck was an active member of the Lake Wales Masonic Lodge #242 and was elected Worshipful Master in 1965 and was also a member of the Egypt Shrine Temple of Tampa. As a local citrus grower, he was a member of the Haines City Citrus Growers Cooperative. For his numerous contributions, he was elected to the Marquis Who’s Who of Outstanding Citizens of the South and Southwest. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mrs. Jeane Lane, of Lake Wales. He is survived by his wife, Roberta Freeman Harriman; daughters Teresa (“Tesci”) Chawi and husband Souhad of Bradenton, FL and Cheryl (“Sheri”) Sherman and husband Richard of Altamonte Springs, FL; son, Charles (“Chuck”) Harriman, Jr. of Lake Wales; sister Cheryl Lane Roddenberry and husband H.C. of Clermont, FL; and brother-in-law Tom Freeman of Lake Wales. Chuck loved his five grandsons Christopher, Alexander, and Gabriel Chawi, Jonathan and Zachary Sherman. Chuck was devoted to his extended family of nieces, Roberta Weissman, Jody Saenz, and Cindy Polston; nephews, Lane Roddenberry and Steve Roddenberry; and their families.

A private family memorial is being planned. Condolences can be left for the family at www.marionnelson.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be sent to Shriners Hospital for Children at 12502 Pine Drive, Tampa FL http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/en/donate or the Lake Wales Public Library at 290 Cypress Garden Lane, Lake Wales, FL.