Surrey, Charles

Charles Surrey, 90, of Blacksburg, died on Monday, February 18, 2013, at Lewis Gale Hospital after a short illness. His long life spanned three continents and several historic events, including the German occupation of Greece during World War II, the Greek Civil War of 1946-49, and serving in the Central Intelligence Agency during the Cold War. Charles was born in Sydney, Australia, on September 11, 1922. He married Niki Karagiorgis in 1957. Their first son, John, was born in 1959 and they moved back to the Washington, D.C., area in 1960 before returning two years later to Athens, where their second son, James, was born. He retired from the CIA in 1982, receiving several Certificates of Distinction and other awards. Charles continued to work with the CIA as a consultant until 1996, when he and Niki moved to Blacksburg. He is survived by Niki, John, James; and his grandchildren, Claire and Miles. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 22, 2013, in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with The Rev. Peter A. Day officiating. Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg. Memorial donations may be made to the Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 5055, Roanoke, VA 24012. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday evening, February 21, 2013, at the McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, Va.