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| Charles Wyly |
Dear Friends,
Few were as active in developing the future of The Salvation Army as Charles Wyly.
While serving as a member and former chairman of the local Salvation Army Advisory Board for more than 40 years, Charles was also a member of The Salvation Army's national advisory board where he had served as Treasurer. He was part of the Executive Committee, Financial & Institutional Development Committee, Business Administration Committee and, most recently, the Underwriting Committee for the 2011 Annual Doing the Most Good Luncheon, as well as the Performing Arts and the Long-Range Plan Committees.
In 2003, Charles was instrumental in securing a $3.5 million grant from the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Fund of the Communities Foundation of Dallas to provide three years of funding to support the implementation of a strategic long-range plan for The Salvation Army in Dallas.
Sadly, Charles died in an auto accident in Aspen Colorado, on Sunday, August 7th.
We have lost one of the truly great gentlemen of the world in Charles Wyly. He cared for and shared with the poorest among us. I never felt ill at ease about speaking to this billionaire who so humbly wanted to make sure everyone who came through the doors of The Salvation Army had a place to sleep and good food to eat.
Charles was about the future. What could The Salvation Army do to help more? How could we serve better? How could we raise more money to help the poor? And in that, he led by example. The passing of Charles Wyly is a blow to the caring community of Dallas and Fort Worth.
Our wish is for others to join us in prayers of comfort for Charles’ wife Dee, and the Wyly family.
A dynamic and celebrated philanthropist, Charles dedicated his time and financial resources to charitable causes as varied as education, the arts, social services, health care, and human rights.
His legacy is one of both service and humility.
Sincerely,
Major Ward Matthews
