Charles Lawrence "Charlie" Brocato, 83, passed away October 1, 2020, at Brandon Court nursing home in Brandon, Mississippi. Born October 22, 1936, he was the son of Charlie Brocato and Lelia May Lawrence Brocato of Clarksdale, Mississippi. A 1954 graduate of Clarksdale High School, he earned a degree in accounting at the University of Mississippi, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Charlie began law school at Ole Miss with the Class of 1960 but withdrew due to the illness and subsequent death of his mother. After completing basic training with the Mississippi Air Guard, he returned to law school, graduating with the Class of 1961. The '60 graduates graciously included Charlie in their gatherings, including Ole Miss Homecoming weekends at Cossar State Park. While in law school Charlie was a member of Phi Delta Phi and on the staff of the Law Journal.

He was admitted to the Mississippi State Bar in 1961, to all state and federal courts in Mississippi, and to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1971. Charlie began the practice of law in Clarksdale with his uncle, Vincent "Buddy" Brocato, and served as Assistant City Attorney and City Prosecuting Attorney.

After a few years of small-town law practice, Charlie enrolled at New York University, where he earned a further Master of Laws in Taxation degree. While in New York he enjoyed New York Yankees baseball and Broadway shows.

Moving to Jackson in 1964, Charlie began the practice of tax law with the firm of Dossett & Magruder. Dossett & Magruder evolved into Dossett, Magruder & Montgomery, and later to Magruder, Montgomery & Brocato. In 1988 the small firm of Magruder, Montgomery & Brocato merged with Butler, Snow, O'Mara, Stevens & Cannada, where Charlie was a partner until his retirement. His areas of practice included tax controversy and litigation, white collar criminal defense, and tax planning. Charlie was active on committees for both the Mississippi State Bar Association and the American Bar Association and as chairman of several. He was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America beginning in 1995.
Charlie was a veteran of the Mississippi Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve.

In 1970 Charlie married Claudia Chandler, originally from Amory, and they settled in Brandon. In 1975 their son Brett Chandler Brocato completed the family.

Charlie was introduced to skeet shooting by his uncle, Van "B" Brocato, a founder of Capitol Gun Club. Charlie joined Capitol Gun Club and became immersed in competitive skeet. He won his first state championship in 1968 in 20-gauge competition. Charlie won many state titles in his skeet career, including the High Overall state championships in 1976, 1983, 1985, 1986, and 1996. He served as president and was a member of the CGC Board of Directors for more than 15 years.

His national titles include 1971 National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) World Shoot, Champion of Champions Event, 3rd place; 1972 NSSA World Shoot, 20 gauge, runner-up; 1977 NSSA World Shoot, 28-gauge, Two Man Team Champions; and 1978 NSSA World Shoot, 28-gauge, 4th place. The 1972 20-gauge NSSA World Championship shoot-off took place over parts of three days at the Rochester-Brooks Gun Club in New York. Charlie finally lost when he missed his 380th target on the third day. He was also part of several Mississippi Five Man Teams that competed and placed nationally.

During his skeet career Charlie shot 70,610 NSSA registered competition targets. A member of the All-American Skeet Teams in 1974, 1977 and 1979, Charlie was inducted into the Mississippi Skeet Shooting Association Hall of Fame in 2015.

An only child, Charlie, known as Charles to family members, had wonderful memories of large holiday gatherings with his extended family in Clarksdale, and he grew up hunting and fishing the Mississippi Delta with family and friends. Moon Lake was a special place for him.

Charlie loved Ole Miss, fishing, skeet shooting, duck hunting, singing old songs, socializing with friends, and his family. He treasured his friendships at the Mossy Brake Hunting Club. As Brett grew up, he joined Charlie on those trips to Mossy Brake.

Charlie's longtime law partner Hugh Montgomery and Hugh's son Monty were favorite duck hunting buddies as well.

Charlie enjoyed life. Once while reflecting on his experiences, he chuckled and said, "It was all fun!"

He is survived by Claudia, his wife of 50 years; son Brett and his wife Melanie; grandchildren Nora, Lucas, Gavin, and Trudy; and many cousins and dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Charlie's favorite charity: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 22 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Visitation will be from 12:30 pm until 1:30 pm on Saturday, October 10th at Wright & Ferguson, 114 Burney Drive, Flowood, Mississippi. A service for relatives and close friends will be at 2:00 pm at St. Paul Catholic Church, 5971 Mississippi Highway 25, Flowood, Mississippi. Burial will follow at Crestview Memorial Gardens, 1106 Star Road, Brandon, Mississippi.