Charles Henry Klar

Charles “Henry” Klar III was born in Los Angeles, California on February 13, 1935, before urban development took over, during a time when the hillsides were still open enough for a young boy to roam and explore. Family pets in his childhood home included a dog, a horse, a monkey, a duck, and a flock of homing pigeons. His parents were Charles Henry “Hank” Klar, Jr. and Nesta Mary Greenwood Klar, and he had one younger brother, Robert William “Bob” Klar. Through the ROTC program, Henry entered the United States Air Force as a Lieutenant upon graduation from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). He moved to Moultrie, Georgia in the fall of 1958 to begin pilot training at Spence Field. Once in Moultrie, Henry began attending First Presbyterian Church where he met his future bride, Dianne Harsh, and they were married upon completion of his pilot training in 1960. In the USAF, Henry flew training missions while stationed at bases in California and North Dakota, and he piloted B52 bombers during the Cuban Missile Crisis. During this time, he and Dianne also started a family. Feeling a call to Christian ministry, Henry left the Air Force after 8 years and moved his young family to Louisville, Kentucky to attend Louisville Theological Seminary. Because he missed flying, he joined the Kentucky Air National Guard, only to be called to active service just days before his ministry ordination service. After moving Dianne and their children back to Moultrie to be close to her parents, Henry left for Korea, where he served for eight months during the Pueblo Crisis. Upon his return, Henry and Dianne decided to remain in Moultrie, figuring it was a good place to raise their family. And so, Henry retired his pilot’s cap and began a new career as Director of Personnel (and later Senior Vice President of Human Resources) at Riverside Manufacturing Company, where he remained until he retired in 2001. In retirement, Henry wore many hats in service to his community. He served on the Moultrie Airport Authority and the Moultrie City Council, and he oversaw the renovation of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library as Chairman of the Library Board. Henry continued to be an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a Sunday School teacher and Elder for many years. And yet, where Henry might most be recognized was on the running trail alongside Highway 319, where he was a regular sight. Throughout his life, Henry was an avid runner, meticulously keeping a log of every mile. At the end of his running days, Henry calculated that he had run over 12,500 miles, and he found satisfaction in knowing that he had run the equivalent of half-way around the globe. Henry’s Christian faith colored every aspect of his life, and he instilled in his children the importance of having a personal walk with the Lord. He believed all living things should be treated with dignity and respect, and this showed in his love and acceptance of others. He greeted each person he met with a cheerful hello, an encouraging word, and a reminder that God loved them. Henry Klar, age 90, died peacefully on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, one infant son (Stephen “Stevie” Robert Klar), and one step-grandson (Zachary Kiser). He is survived by his beloved wife, Dianne Harsh Klar; 4 children: Hank Klar (Ely), Tom Klar, Dan Klar (Deb), and Wendy Klar Vande Linde (Gary); 10 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 30, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church Moultrie, with the Reverend Dr. Hugh Ward officiating. Chad Klar, Ben Klar, Jamey York, Cameron Klar, Peyton Klar and, Alan Klar will serve as pallbearers. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memory Gardens. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Presbyterian Church (Moultrie) 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Baker Funeral Home.