Charles Richard Ostergrant (a.k.a. Tony Midnight), born September 15, 1933, passed on March 9, 2011. He grew up in Aurora, Illinois, where as a young man he and friend Anita Phillips produced and starred in a celebrity radio program. Drafted in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army, Far East Command, stationed on Okinawa. Honorably discharged in 1955 he returned to San Francisco and worked for Southern Pacific Railway. He was well known as an entertainer, raconteur, host at Gordon's Restaurant, and human rights activist in gay circles.
In the early 1970s he moved to Los Angeles to write with army friend Daniel Whiteside. During his years in southern California he worked for the 1994 Olympic Committee. As director of communications for 30 years at Three In One Concepts he is remembered world wide for his charm, wit and wisdom.
Charles is survived by his cat Gugitzo, his sister Mary Trader, nieces and nephews. A memorial service has been held at Bethany Towers in Hollywood, where Charles last resided.