Charles William Pilkerton
November 7, 1956 ~ April 15, 2025
Charles "Charlie" William Pilkerton, 68, of Clements, MD, passed away on April 15, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after courageously battling a brief illness. Born on November 7, 1956, in Leonardtown, MD, he was the son of the late William Melvin Pilkerton Jr. and Agnes Cecelia Quade Pilkerton.
A lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, MD, Charlie graduated from Ryken High School in 1975 and married his high school sweetheart, Tammy, in 1978. He served in the Air Force as a Fuel Systems Specialist from 1975 to 1979, earning several commendations, including the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.
Charlie's career spanned decades in the fuel industry, earning recognition like the Million Mile Safety Award. He was also a mechanic and driver for Guy Brothers Marine, where he was known for his dedication and expertise. A devout Catholic, he actively served at Sacred Heart Church in Bushwood, MD, and volunteered with Christmas in April, Inc.
Charlie cherished his time with his family, especially his six grandchildren. He was known for his humor, generosity, and unwavering work ethic which will remain an inspiration for others.
Charlie is survived by his wife Tammy, children, Laura Ward (Brent) and Kevin Pilkerton (Mandy), grandchildren, Caelan, Claire, Kali, Adelyn, Braelyn, and Lexi, his mother, Agnes Pilkerton, and sisters, Janet Williams, Judy Willey (David), and Joanne Namyst (Joe). He was preceded in death by his father, his brother, William “Billy” Pilkerton III, and two children lost to miscarriage.
Charlie will forever be remembered as a devoted family man and role model, deeply loved and missed by all.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with prayers recited at 7:00 PM, at the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home in Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bushwood, MD, officiated by Father Anthony Lickteig. Interment will follow at Charles Memorial Gardens in Leonardtown, MD.
The Pallbearers will include Francis Guy, Mike Guy, Tim Bennett, Jacob Namyst, Josh Namyst, and Steve Williams.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Charles Pilkerton Memorial Scholarship Fund at the College of Southern Maryland which supports students pursuing their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or to the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED), which focuses on preventing and curing eosinophil-associated diseases by promoting education, awareness, research, advocacy, and support initiatives for those affected.
To donate to CSM, Online donations may be made at https://tinyurl.com/Charles-Pilkerton. Please designate the gift for the Charles Pilkerton Memorial Scholarship Fund in the donation form.
To donate to the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED), Online donations can be made at https://secure.everyaction.com/F-Sq7dtglk6QR4plRTAdgQ2. Please designate the gift in honor of Charles Pilkerton, with acknowledgments sent to: PO Box 136, Clements, MD 20624, TambreyPilkerton@Outlook.com.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
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Charlie is my first cousin. I have many fond memories of Charlie and his siblings my brother and I all playing together as kids. As happens with far too many of us it has been years since there has been any contact but I know he grew into a very fine man. I would like to extend my sympathy to his entire family. You can almost bet my mother, Queenie Pilkerton, met him at heaven’s gate with a can of green beans and told him he had to eat some to get in! Rest well, sweet Charlie.