Charles D. Greenwell

Charles D. “Chuck” Greenwell

November 27, 1944 – December 2, 2025

Charles D. Greenwell (Chuck), 81, of Hernando Beach, Florida, passed away on December 2, 2025, after courageously battling Agent Orange liver cancer for more than four years.

Born on November 27, 1944, in Sonora, Kentucky, Chuck was preceded in death by his grandparents, David and Mary Routt, who lovingly raised him; his parents, Charles Richard (Teddy) Greenwell, Jr. (1945) and Mary Laverne (Routt) Beatty (2025); and his half brother, J.T. Beatty. He is survived by his devoted wife, Diane Moore Greenwell; his children, Chad Greenwell (Jennifer), Garth Greenwell, Tara Lanning (Glenn), Laura Likens (Patrick), Grace Greenwell; and stepdaughter Jennifer Hatfield (Bryan); and his half brothers, Kenny Slone (Mary) and Ray Slone (Rita), James Beatty (Carol); five grandchildren, Mackenzie and Mason Lanning, Luna and Sawyer Likens, and Ethan Greenwell.

Chuck was a talented athlete and musician. In high school, He played football and earned a college football scholarship until a motorcycle accident changed his path. His band teacher, determined to help Chuck pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer, guided him toward a music scholarship, where Chuck excelled as a trumpet player. He also had a warm singing voice and was known to serenade others with “Can’t Help Falling In Love.”

He served with distinction in the U.S. Army, beginning with ROTC at Eastern Kentucky University, where he was recognized as a distinguished military graduate in military science. Chuck served as a commissioned officer and was trained in Army counterintelligence. During the Vietnam War, he served with the 82nd Airborne, 3rd Brigade (“The Golden Brigade”), and earned the Bronze Star for meritorious service as well as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 9236.

Following his military service, Chuck pursued a long and accomplished career as a litigation attorney in Louisville, Kentucky. He was a lifetime member of the Kentucky Bar Association, a Kentucky Bar Fellow, and a Senior Counselor. He earned his Juris Doctorate Degree, cum laude, from the University of Louisville School of Law and was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in April 1973. Throughout his 48-year career, Chuck practiced before the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, U.S. District Courts of Southern New York, Western Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and Eastern Tennessee, and all courts within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. His professional recognitions included listings in The Best Lawyers in America (2012-2016), recognition in Chambers USA, and being named a Kentucky Super Lawyer every year from 2005–2015 in civil litigation.

In 2014, Chuck moved to Hernando Beach, Florida, where he embraced coastal life—kayaking, boating, and hosting memorable backyard fireside chats. His commitment to community led him to serve as Governmental Affairs Chairman for the Hernando Beach Property Owners Association. He became a dedicated liaison with county government, attending countless commission meetings studying county policies and procedures. Chuck used his legal expertise to advocate for sound governance, participating in Planning & Zoning meetings, budget workshops, Emergency Management presentations, Local Mitigation Strategy Working Group meetings, and Port Authority meetings. He played a key role with the county developing Public Inquiry Workshops (PIW) concerning water-dependent land use changes and fought vigorously for the repeal of the 5-year/50% Look Back Rule—a change that ultimately helped save hundreds of homes. He also contributed to the foundational work for the 2040 Vision Plan for Hernando Beach. Chuck was an active member of both the Coastal Hernando Business Group and the Hernando Beach Yacht Club.

Graveside military services will be held at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, on December 19, 2025, at 2 p.m. A Time to Remember will follow from 4–6 p.m. at the Hernando Beach Yacht Club, where friends and family are invited to gather and share special memories.

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