United States Army Sergeant First Class Charles Allen Judge Jr., 40, of Columbia, S.C. passed away on Sunday, July 24, 2016 while coming to the aid of a stranger.

He was born in Dover, N.J. on October 14, 1975. He was an Eagle Scout with Troop 26 of Inman S.C., a graduate of Landrum High School in 1995. He enlisted in the South Carolina Army National Guard on the delayed enlistment program in March 1995. SFC Judge graduated from Landrum High School, Landrum, S.C. in May 1995 and completed Initial Entry One Station Basic Training for Field Artillery (13E) at Fort Sill, Okla. in 1996. Upon completion of initial training SFC Judge returned to South Carolina where he began his career as a recruiter with the South Carolina Army National Guard.

During his 21 years of service in the South Carolina Army National Guard, SFC Judge’s assignments included: Fire Direction Sergeant, Alpha Battery 1st Battalion 178th Field Artillery, Wellford, S.C.; Combat Engineer Squad Leader, Alpha Company 1st Battalion 178th Engineer Battalion, Wellford, S.C.; Combat Engineer Squad Leader, A Company, Forward Support, 178th Engineer Battalion, Rock Hill, S.C.; Fire Direction Specialist, Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery, Manning, S.C.; Fire Direction Specialist, Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery, Clinton, S.C.; Fire Direction Specialist and Operations/Training NCO, Headquarters Battery 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery, Georgetown, S.C.

SFC Judge served as a Convoy Escort Platform Gunner with the 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery in support of Operation Iraq Freedom during the Iraqi Governance Campaign from September 2004 to September 2005 where he completed over 40 convoy missions. SFC Judge transferred to the 218th Regiment (Leadership) in 2011. While assigned to the 218th Regiment, SFC Judge served as an instructor for the Combat Engineer Course and Horizontal Construction Engineer Course with the 1st Battalion (Engineers) where he was selected as Instructor of the Quarter on two occasions.

In 2014 he transferred to the 3rd Battalion, Noncommissioned Officer Academy, 218th Regiment (Leadership) where he served as a Small Group Leader for the Warrior Leader Course, continuing his excellence as a leader, instructor and mentor he was selected as Instructor of the Quarter for 4th Quarter 2015. In late 2015, SFC Judge transferred back to 1st Battalion (Engineers) 218th Regiment (Leadership) to once again teach Engineer students.

SFC Judge’s awards include the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal w/ campaign star, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge, South Carolina Army National Guard Achievement Ribbon, South Carolina Army National Guard Mobilization Ribbon, and South Carolina Army National Guard Active State Service Ribbon with 20 year device.

SFC Judge was very active in his community where he served as coordinator of Upstate Stand Down for homeless and at-risk veterans. He was founder/coordinator of The Upstate Stand Down for the past five years.

Charles made a lasting impression on everyone he met with his charm and sense of humor. His zest for life, kindness and sense of helping and caring for others will be what his family, friends and co-workers will remember most.

Charles will be forever loved by those of us he left behind. He is survived by his children, Nathan and Anna Grace Judge, of Moore, S.C.; mother and step-father, Barbara and Frank Briant of Landrum, S.C.; father and step-mother, Charles and Kathy Judge Sr. of Pottstown, Pa.; step brother Michael Monroe; half-brother Patrick Judge; step sister Kimberly Thomas of Pennsylvania; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and girlfriend Sonya Holmes Snow.

Charles was predeceased by grandmother and grandfather, Margaret and Philip Katrosh; uncle Phillip Katrosh; cousin Vincent Smith Jr.; grandfather and grandmother, Richard and Alberta Judge; uncle Richard Judge.

Charles will also be missed by the many friends he touched that we now consider family. We will also miss the joy and love that he brought into our lives and we could not be more proud of him.

The family will be receiving friends on Thursday July 28, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. at the Lyman United Methodist Church located at 106 Groce Rd., Lyman SC 29365.

Funeral services will take place at the Lyman United Methodist Church on Friday, July 29, 2016 at 2 p.m. Graveside service with military rites will be held at a later date to be determined at Fort Jackson National Cemetery located at 4170 Percival Rd., Columbia, SC 29229.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Operation Restoration for the Upstate Stand Down in honor and memory of Sergeant First Class Charles Judge Jr., at upstatestanddown.org or mail in donations to Operation Restoration CDC P.O. Box 6084 Spartanburg, SC 29304.

Condolences may be left at www.pettyfuneralhome.com.

Petty Funeral Home & Crematory
Landrum, S.C.