Charles Stockwell

Charles (Chuck) Stockwell passed away peacefully with his loving wife Shelley at his side, on July 6, 2025 at his home in Brighton, Michigan. He was 76 years old.

Chuck was born on March 5, 1949 in St. Johns, Michigan. He was the son of the late Oscar and Sarah Mae Stockwell. He is survived by his sisters, Mildred Harris and Bonnie Pyles. Chuck had very fond memories of growing up in St. Johns, a small rural community at that time. He attended St. Johns Public Schools for his K-12 education.

Chuck and Shelley had a strong and loving marriage for 43 years. Their daughter, Charyl Stockwell, was born in September 1986. When Charyl was six years old, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor that also spread to her spinal cord. At the time, Chuck was a pioneer in the charter school movement both in Livingston County and statewide. He founded the Livingston Developmental Academy (LDA) in Hartland Township in 1996, just two years after the first charter schools in Michigan opened. Charyl attended LDA, and was very proud of her school and her father. On June 19, 2001, the school was renamed Charyl Stockwell Academy (CSA) in honor of Charyl. Just six weeks later, on July 28, 2001, Charyl passed away peacefully at her home, immersed in her parents’ love.

CSA started out as a K-8 school, but later a high school program was added. CSA District is now a comprehensive, high performing public school academy that is recognized across the state and the county for its high quality of the education model and academic performance. CSA Elementary School is still located in Hartland Township. Due to its continuous and significant rise in enrollment, a beautiful addition was built in 2024. CSA Middle School (CSAMS) and Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy (CSPA) are both located in Brighton, each in their own beautiful building.

Chuck was also the founder of CS Partners, a Brighton-based company that provides education services to charter schools across the state.

Some years ago, Chuck explained what prompted him to start a charter school, “My daughter was my inspiration. I wanted to open a school that would be a safe place for her to grow and learn, and I figured if it was a school that was a safe place for her, it would be a safe place for all children.”

Chuck Stockwell was a wonderful and devoted husband and father. Family always came first. He also was a legendary educator, scholar, visionary, and entrepreneur. Chuck Stockwell’s legacy will continue to provide a safe place for all children to grow and learn. It was his life’s mission.