Charles Eugene Best was born March 3, 1932, in Ceres Township, McKean County, Pennsylvania, the son of Cloyde Cecil Best and Esther Irene Barney.

He graduated from Bolivar Central School in 1949. He attended Pennsylvania State College and graduated on June 4, 1953, with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. He had attended ROTC while in college and received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Air Force.

He married Esther Arlene Kahle on June 7, 1953, in the Methodist Church in Duke Center, Pennsylvania. He went to work for Chicago Bridge and Iron Company in Greenville, Pennsylvania.

He was ordered to report on February 15, 1954, to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey for processing into active duty in the United States Air Force and was sent to Sondrestromfjord Air Force Base in Greenland. On February 7, 1955, he was transferred to Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on June 4, 1955.

On February 14, 1956, he was relieved of active duty and returned to CBI at Greenville, Pennsylvania. He also worked at CBI offices in Chicago, Illinois, Memphis, Tennessee, and Houston, Texas. He retired from CBI in June 1993 after 40 years of service.

After retiring they moved to Coldspring, Texas where he was a member of the Coldspring United Methodist Church. He was the Financial Secretary of the church for several years and also helped build several houses for Habitat for Humanity in Coldspring.

He is survived by his son, Michael Alan Best (Melody) of Waller, Texas, his daughter, Cynthia Lee Best of Coldspring, grandchildren Michelle Ann Farrell, Cayden Best, Shanda Motelet (Nick), Kyle Enlow (Michaela), Jennifer Enlow, great grandchildren, Star Drake, Braxton Drake, Brayden Drake, Trever Wilson (Gina), Karson Todd, Drake Motelet, Presley Motelet, Gavin Enlow, Mak Enlow, Zayden Bingham, great-great grandchild, Layla Wilson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his brother, Arnold Arlo Best, and sister, Phyllis Kalmbacher.