Charles Jason Chitwood, MD
10/3/69-5/2/18
Charles (known as Jason to many), was a dedicated husband, father and family practice physician. He passed away on May 2, 2018, on Amedisys hospice with his wife of 11 years, Lisa Carchedi, and his son, Trace Chitwood, age 20, caring for him at home in Havre de Grace, MD. He was 48 years old.
Charles (Jason) was diagnosed with thyroid cancer almost 18 years ago while on active duty in the US Army and serving in Germany. His thyroid was removed, but the cancer unfortunately metastasized to his lungs. He never achieved full remission, but came close more than once due to being in several medication trials and eventually having one lung removed. Over the years, he proactively sought out new trials and cutting-edge treatments such as radio ablation and cryotherapy. He worked with a cache of talented oncologists and surgeons over the years, and was labeled “The Warrior” due to the many times he had been near death yet managed to return to a level of stability. When Lisa met him over 12 years ago, he had already been told twice to “get his affairs in order” as there was nothing more that could be done for him. Fortunately, he refused to accept that advice.
Charles (Jason) was a brilliant physician, having graduated from UT Southwestern medical school in Dallas, TX, followed by a family practice residency at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, HI. He tirelessly sought out treatments for himself, but applied that same tenacity when caring for his patients. As a result, he improved and saved the lives of many civilian, veteran and active duty patients who were fortunate to cross his path over the past 21 years. Stationed at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Canter on Ft Hood, in Killeen, TX so that he could be close to his son, Charles (Jason) retired in 2017 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He joined Lisa and her family in Maryland with the hopes he would spend time woodworking, raising chickens, and working for the VA or a local urgent care clinic. His only regret pending his demise, he said, was that he still felt he could have contributed more to helping people.
Although he will not be able to attend Trace’s college graduation in person, he was able to see him successfully finish a year of pre-requisites and the first year of architecture school at the University of Houston. Raising and providing for his son, Trace, was his most important mission. At the time of his death, Charles (Jason) stated he was so proud of the man Trace had become. From his childhood days in Conroe, TX, through years at Baylor University, medical school and the military, Charles (Jason), born an only child, was blessed to have several friends who were like brothers to him. He would often send the group provocative and humorous texts about his view on life, preferably at 0500 for better effect. Charles (Jason) was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Jean Neely. He is survived by his wife, Lisa Rosina Carchedi, his son, Trace Hunter Chitwood, and his father, Sammy Dwight Chitwood.
While Charles (Jason) never had one particular charity or cause he supported during his life, he did whatever he could to prevent the suffering of children and animals. He valued St Jude’s work with children, not only because of their commitment to treating cancer and other life-threatening diseases, but also because patients and families do not incur bills for treatment. He was fortunate to have been on several medications during his life that without the backing of a trial would have been prohibitively expensive. His greatest hope, beyond finding a cure for himself, was that someday cancer treatment would be centralized, genetically specialized, affordable and accessible to all.
Visitation and Service will be held at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd West Silver Spring, MD 20901 on Saturday May 19, 2018 from 12 to 1pm , where Memorial Service will be celebrated at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St Jude’s via the Memorial Page for Charles Jason Chitwood M.D., are appreciated.
http://giftfunds.stjude.org/cjchitwood
