Virginia High School League Hall of Fame Member and Bronze Star Recipent, Charlie Cloe Passes Away

A Huge loss for the Virginia Sports Community.

December 24, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on December 24, 2026

A longtime official in football, basketball, baseball, and softball, Cloe’s steady presence and quiet leadership left a mark on players, coaches, and fellow referees across the region.

In 2026, he was inducted into the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame, an honor that recognized his years of service and the influence he had on interscholastic athletics.

Cloe’s career stretched from the 1960s into the 2000s. He showed up to games season after season, usually long before kickoff, ready to work and to teach. Many who knew him remember more than the calls he made.

They remember a man who mentored numerous youth individuals, explained the finer points of positioning and signals, and took time to calm heated moments so the focus could stay on the players and the game. That steadying presence became his calling card.

An early part of Cloe’s path came at the Rose Marie Inn, where he learned the mechanics of football officiating. He also officiated basketball at Salem Church Middle School in 1997, among countless other games in the region.

That grassroots beginning set the tone for a life spent giving back to local sports. He didn’t chase headlines.

The Legacy Lives Forever

He taught, practiced, and encouraged others to step up. Over the years, he became the person younger officials sought out when they wanted honest feedback or a practical lesson on how to read a play.

Outside the game, Cloe served his country and was a Bronze Star recipient. The discipline and sense of duty he carried from military service showed in how he approached officiating and mentorship.

He treated every assignment like a responsibility, to the teams, to the community, and to the standards of fair play.

That combination of service and dedication is what many friends and colleagues point to when they describe his legacy.

News of his passing brought an outpouring of memories and prayers. Coaches, former players, and fellow officials shared short, personal remembrances.

It also brought a quiet instruction that made a tough season better, an encouraging word for a nervous rookie, a presence that calmed a tense rivalry.

Cloe left a lasting legacy at VHSL. (Source: Richmond)

Local sports pages and community feeds filled with condolences and messages of thanks.

Many individuals sent prayers and notes of support to his family and to the officiating community, and stories of Cloe’s patient teaching and steady hand circulated across the region.

Those who worked with him say his influence went beyond the rules book. He led by example at clinics and pregame meetings.

He stayed late to help, showed up early to prepare, and always made time for a conversation that would help someone else improve.

That everyday devotion is what earned him respect and, ultimately, Hall of Fame recognition, not just for longevity but for shaping how the game is called and how officials behave.

Local officiating groups and community outlets are collecting memories and photos to honor Cloe’s years of service.

For towns that live and breathe high school sports, officials like Charlie Cloe matter. They keep games fair, protect players, and pass on knowledge that helps the next generation stay safe and focused.

Cloe was more than a referee. He was a teacher, a mentor, and a steadying force who quietly shaped decades of local athletics.

The region’s sports community is keeping Cloe’s family in its thoughts and prayers.

His work will live on each season when more experienced officials pass on what they learned from him and when new referees step onto fields and courts carrying a little of his patience and discipline with them.

Anish Koirala has loved sports since he was a kid. He grew up playing basketball and soccer, and that passion stayed with him over the years. Today, Anish works as a writer and editor, sharing his knowledge and love for the game through articles and stories. He uses his playing experience to make his writing clear, thoughtful, and fun to read.

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