Charles Vorndran

Charles Vorndran

August 3, 1965 - May 20, 2021

Our dear Charles unexpectedly passed on May 20th, 2021 and entered into eternal life.

Charles Vorndran was born on August 3rd, 1965 in El Paso, Texas to Patricia Ann Vorndran and Roger Lee Vorndran, Sr. Charles was the third of four children. Eldest brother Roger Lee Vorndran, Jr., sister Debra Ann Vorndran, and youngest brother Ronald Alvin Vorndran.

Charles, affectionately known as “Charlie”, was born into a military family which ultimately settled in Austin, Texas. Charles was an avid reader and excelled greatly in school. Charles attended William B. Travis High School and was salutatorian of his class of 1983. Charles participated in debate, played the saxophone, holding first chair, and participated in the Travis High band.

Following high school, Charles attended The University of Texas at Austin completing his baccalaureate degree in Zoology (1983-1988). Subsequently, Charles furthered his studies at the University of Texas completing his Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology (1989-1995). As a graduate student, Dr. Vorndran was a National Institutes of Health Biophysics fellow. As part of his dissertation, Dr. Vorndran successfully synthesized and characterized novel fluorescent calcium indicator dyes. Following over a decade year of studies in Austin, Charles attended Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law (1994-1997) where he completed his Juris Doctorate. Charles areas of practice focused on all aspects of intellectual property, patent prosecution, and trademark law with an emphasis in biotechnology and chemical technologies. Bar admissions included Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, and US Patent & Trademark Office. Most recently, Charles was Partner at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP preceded by Pabst Patent Group LLP.

Above and beyond Charles’ immense intellectual successes, Charles’ enduring love was his family, faith, and friends. Charles married the love of his life, Steven Wade Hodge, in Washington D.C. on May 4th, 2014. Charles and Wade called home, Atlanta, Georgia. Charles was deeply involved with his church, All Saints Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Charles thoroughly enjoyed traveling the world with his husband and their dear friends. Charles was a loving husband, honorable son, extraordinary brother, courageous uncle, and an undeniable friend. Charles’ death was preceded by Roger Lee Vorndran Sr. Charles is survived by husband, Steven Wade Hodge; mother, Patricia Ann Vorndran; brother, Roger Lee Vorndran, Jr., and family; sister, Debra Ann Llewellyn, and family; brother, Ronald Alvin Vorndran, and family.

A memorial service will be held on July 10th, 2021 at 2PM EST at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 634 W Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30308