Fort Wayne civil rights leader dies Sunday

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) A man who worked for decades to advance civil rights in Fort Wayne passed away at the age of 82 on Sunday night.

Since coming to Fort Wayne more than 40 years ago, Charles Redd built up an impressive resume of public service. He was executive director of the Fort Wayne Urban League in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was on the board of the Metropolitan Human Relations Council from 1982-1989 and again as the chairman in 1997-1998. He also had served on the Fort Wayne Housing Authority.

City Councilman Geoff Paddock (D-5th) told the News-Sentinel that Redd was an original member of the Headwaters Parks Commission in the 1980's and remained a member of the Headwaters Park Alliance until his death.

Redd, a Democrat, served on the city council from 1984 until 1992.

Mayor Henry served along side Redd during his city council terms, and said he was a true visionary.

"He was a man ahead of his time, and even though not everything that he introduced was ultimately passed, I think he raised an awareness of those issues in our community.  And today, we have passed some ordinances and some resolutions of things he talked about."

Henry told NewsChannel 15 Redd pushed for gun safety education and getting minority voters to the polls.

A viewing will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday at Ellis Funeral Home, 1021 E. Lewis St.,

The funeral will be at noon Saturday at Turner Chapel AME Church, 836 E. Jefferson Blvd., with a viewing from 10 a.m. to noon before the service.