Charles Davis Acuff

Charles Davis Acuff Senior, 90, passed away on June 28, 2025. He is survived by his two children, Suzanne Acuff Crabtree and Charles Davis Acuff Jr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Marti and Bill Koch; several grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Charles was born August 25, 1934, in Louisiana, MO, the son of Davis H. and Ann Acuff. He attended school in Clarence, Troy, and Kirksville, MO, and graduated from Kirksville High School in 1952. He graduated from Kirksville State Teachers College with a B.S. in Education in 1956 and a Master’s in Education in 1961. He also attended Harvard Graduate School of Business in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

On December 18, 1954, Charles married Shirley Ann Vincent of Kirksville, MO. They had two children: Suzanne (Kenny) Crabtree and Charles Davis Acuff Jr. They have five grandsons, Jeremy Arnold, Scott (Elaina) Arnold, Eric (Rachael) Arnold, Cameron (Danielle) Acuff, and Calvin Acuff; five great-grandchildren, Ashley Arnold, Dustin Arnold, Riley Acuff, Brody Acuff, and Vayda Acuff; beloved nieces and nephews, Kristin (Kreg) Moorhouse, Paul (Jacque) Koch, Matt (Destiny) Koch, Brad (Beth) Acuff, Erika Acuff Boehlke, Addie Acuff (Jeremy) Pittman; and eleven great-grandnieces and nephews, Paxton, Gavin, Rylee, Liam, Landon, Regan, Claudia, Damon, Brooklyn, Charlie, and T.J.

Charles was a member of the Cameron, MO, United Methodist Church where he was very involved in the Good News Sunday School Class. Charles was active in Boy Scouts and was Assistant Cubmaster and Troop Chairman of the St. Louis Area Council of Boy Scouts of America. He was preceded in death by his parents, Davis H. and Ann Acuff; his wife, Shirley Ann Acuff; his stepfather, H.H. McCuskey; his in-laws, Charles and Irene Vincent; and his brother, John Frederick Acuff.

Charles taught Business Education classes in Mexico, MO, and North Kansas City, MO, Public Schools for five years. Then he was a Programmer and Supervisor of Computer Operations for the VA in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Computer Operations Manager & Systems Analyst for the VA Division of Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan; Senior Programmer at the Lincoln-Mercury St. Louis, MO; Director of Data Processing for Peabody Coal in St. Louis, MO; Senior Systems Analyst at Emerson Electric in St. Louis, MO; and Director of Data Processing at Intertec Publishing in Overland Park, Kansas. Charles was also an Adjunct Professor at Lindenwood College in St. Charles, MO for several years. He was named to Who’s Who in the Midwest.

Charles was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army in the Reserves from 1953–1961 and on active duty from 1956–1958.

Charles was a hard worker and very loyal and loving to his family and beloved friends. Charles enjoyed gardening, playing bridge, and square dancing.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Interment will be at Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville. Memorials may be made in honor of Charles Acuff to the Cameron United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.