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COTA remembers Warren “Red” Chilton, longtime Friend of the Arts
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Red Chilton and his wife, Pat |
One of the highlights for anyone attending the KSU College of the Arts’ annual galas (2002-2007) was getting to see Warren “Red” Chilton dancing with his wife, Pat. He never missed an opportunity to dance late into the evening.
On Sept. 10, 2009, Red Chilton passed away at the age of 81 following a brief illness. His memorial service at the First United Methodist Church of Marietta on Sept. 13 was attended by hundreds of people, a testament to his longstanding engagement in Marietta and the greater Cobb County community.
After graduating from Marietta High School in 1946, Mr. Chilton became a commercial real estate broker. He earned many distinctions in his long career and was one of the first brokers to specialize in property near I-75 and I-285.
Mr. Chilton was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Marietta since 1943 and served on several church boards and committees. He also served many years on the board of the Georgia Ballet, where he often enjoyed playing the role of Santa Claus in “The Nutcracker.” More recently, he joined the board of the WellStar Foundation Hospice.
Mr. Chilton also felt a strong connection to Kennesaw State University and was among the first “Friends of the Arts” when the College of the Arts was created in 1998. He and his wife attended many arts events each year. He was also a close, personal friend of both KSU President Emerita Betty L. Siegel and Arts Dean Joseph Meeks.
Red Chilton is survived by his wife of 59 years, Patricia Pope Chilton; their four children, Warren Pope Chilton; Julianne and her husband, Boozer McClure; Claire and her husband, Sam Brogdon; and Laurie and her husband, Roger Phillips; and three grandchildren, Warren Sherrell McClure, Julia Chilton McClure and Claire McLain Brogdon.