Former Del. Charles Poindexter, a Republican from Franklin County who served 14 years in the House of Delegates, died Wednesday. He was 83.
Poindexter described himself as a farmer, which was true, but did not fully encompass his career. With a math degree from what was then Lynchburg College and a master’s degree in management from George Washington University, Poindexter went on to a career in information technology that involved a lot of work with the U.S. military.
As state Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, said in a tribute to Poindexter on the Senate floor Thursday: “Armed with that education, he went on to serve our nation in ways that most of his constituents never fully knew.”
Poindexter’s work took him across the country and around the world — to Europe, to Asia. “Charlie worked at the very forefront of our national defense capabilities,” Stanley said. “He served as the chief developer of automation for the Air Tasking Order — the daily operational plan that coordinates joint and allied air operations for the United States Air Force. His work directly supported the Department of Defense, NASA and our intelligence and command-and-control systems.”
In retirement, though, he came home to Franklin County. “He never stopped farming his family’s land near Smith Mountain Lake, close to the original 1792 Poindexter family home place,” Stanley said. “On hot summer days, you could find him out there on his tractor, harvesting hay, doing the work his father had done before him.”
When he eventually ran for office, he described himself simply as a farmer. First came eight years on the Franklin County Board of Supervisors, then 14 years in the House of Delegates, where he eventually became vice chairman of the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee in the days when there were Republican majorities.
Former Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville, said Poindexter always asked to be on House Agriculture and the House Cities, Counties and Towns Committee that deals with local government “because of his rural background.”
Poindexter, who sang in the church choir at home, was deeply conservative and regularly won a 100% rating from the conservative Family Foundation. “He championed the causes that mattered to the people of Southwest Virginia: keeping taxes low to encourage investment and growth, supporting our farmers and our agricultural heritage, fighting for broadband expansion in underserved rural communities, protecting The Crooked Road heritage music trail, advocating for Interstate 81 improvements, and working tirelessly for economic development in Southern Virginia,” Stanley said.
“Charlie was known as a steady voice,” said Del. Will Davis, R-Franklin County. “He was thoughtful, principled and deeply respectful of the institution and the people he represented. He was someone who believed government should work for the people who sent us here, and he carried that belief with him every single day he served. He was very supportive and helpful to my campaign. He was always willing to answer questions and even give me advice when I didn’t ask. Charlie will be missed.”
Outside of politics, Poindexter served on the board of the W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center at Smith Mountain Lake, along with the boards of other groups.
Poindexter came into politics at a time when Republicans were ascendant in rural Virginia. “Perhaps the defining moment of Charlie’s legislative career came in 2011, when redistricting placed him in a head-to-head race against the sitting House minority leader,” Stanley said. “It was one of the most watched and most expensive House races in Virginia that year.” Poindexter won.
His political career eventually ended when he was defeated by a younger challenger who ran to Poindexter’s right in a Republican primary.
As word of Poindexter’s death spread, legislators offered tributes. “I enjoyed working with him in the House of Delegates to promote the Republican Party and deliver solutions for rural communities,” said U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem. “We mourn the loss of a good man.”
“Charlie was a farmer, a man of deep conviction, and a tireless advocate for the communities he loved, and I ask that you join me in keeping his family in your thoughts and prayers,” said Del. Wren Williams, R-Patrick County, who succeeded Poindexter in the House.
“Delegate Poindexter was a true Virginia gentleman,” Marshall said.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
