Charles Frank Schmaus, 81, of North Myrtle Beach, passed away peacefully Friday Oct. 10, 2025. 

Formerly of Lexington, Charlie was born in Kittaning, Pa., the son of the late Charles A. Schmaus and Hedwig J. (Reich) Schmaus. 

He excelled in basketball, football, golf and tennis. He was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Charlie was a retired All-American basketball coach and player. After a three-sport career at the Virginia Military Institute, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) in the fourth round of the 1966 NBA draft. 

Following a brief stint in the U.S. Air Force, Charlie returned to VMI for six years as head basketball coach in which he most famously led the 1976-77 team to a 26-4 season which included a Southern Conference regular season and tournament championship as well as a trip to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.

In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Ronnie and Jon Armstrong, and his in-laws, Ronald and Charlotte Macdonald. 

Survivors include his former wife and best friend, Jean Schmaus of Myrtle Beach; daughter, Karen Lynn Schmaus of Kernersville, N.C.; son, Donald Alen Schmaus of Myrtle Beach; grandson, Ethan Schmaus of Myrtle Beach; and nephew, Jon D. Armstrong of Columbia, S.C. 

A celebration of Charlie's life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday Nov. 4, at Burroughs Funeral Home in Murrells Inlet. 

Online condolences may be expressed at www.burroughsfh.com.

Burroughs Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Murrells Inlet, S.C. (843-651-1440) is assisting the family.