Charles A. Lytton of 13610 Hailsham Circle, Midlothian, VA 23113, died on June 20, 2010. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Carol L. Lytton. Charles received his BS from Virginia Tech and was President and CEO of Woolfolk Properties, Inc. at the time of his death.

As avid sailors, Charles and Carol were the owners of Song of Joy, a Tatoosh 42. In 1992, the Lyttons joined Yankee Point Yacht Club where they were the recipients of cruising awards in 1999 and 2001. In 2000, YPYC awarded them the much coveted Commodore’s Trophy. Charles served as Commodore of YPYC in 2006 and 2007 where he also taught seminars in basic and advanced communication and navigation. Charles prepared the meals for the annual “Sail-In” at Yankee Point and it was always one of their most popular events. In a note from Past YPYC Commodore, Jim Wilson, he says he believes “Charles has moved forward to where he is at the wheel, hull down on a beam reach, just out of sight, waiting for us to catch up. When you are on the water, as the waves hiss by the hull, just look up for the tip of a mast moving just out of sight and think of Charles.”

Charles and Carol joined Fishing Bay Yacht Club in August 2004. Since joining FBYC, Charles served as Winter Programs Chair in 2007, Grounds Chair in 2008, and Cruising Div. Lt. Cdr. in 2009. They both chaired the Rosegill/Urbanna Cruise and the After Rosegill Cruise to YPYC in 2008 and 2009. Charles currently served as club Treasurer.

In addition to being members at FBYC and YPYC, they were also members of Stingray Harbour Yacht Club in Deltaville.

Charles and Carol began blue water sailing in 1998 when they circumnavigated the Delmarva Peninsula. In 1999, they cruised to Bermuda and in 2000 entered the Bermuda Ocean Race originating in Annapolis. In 2001, they sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia taking the outbound North Atlantic route. The CCA-sponsored Newport to Bermuda Races in 2002 and 2004 were the hallmarks of their blue water sailing.

Sparked by a young relative’s battle with leukemia, Charles spear-headed a campaign in Richmond for the 2007 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. As a result of his efforts, he was recognized as “Man of the Year” by the Virginia Chapter. Charles himself was stricken with gastric cancer in the fall of 2009 and fought a hard battle against this dreaded disease. His passion for the sea and his fellow sailors will never be forgotten.

Visitation with the family will be held at Bliley’s-Chippenham at 6900 Hull Street Road in Richmond from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, June 24th, and the Memorial Service at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 25th, at the same location. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Virginia Cancer Institute, 14051 St. Francis Boulevard, Suite 1200, Midlothian, VA 23114.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE