Charles Ray Sailor passed away at 86 on June 10, 2021 in Fresno, California. He was the husband of Shirley Ann (Cowen) Sailor for nearly 61 years. The two were married June 12, 1960 in Wichita, Kansas.
Born on June 13, 1934 in Wichita, Kansas, he was the son of Earl and Alice Sailor. He graduated from Wichita East High School and attended Wichita State University. After two years serving in the 2nd Missile Battalion 82nd Artillery of the United States Army stationed in Germany, he returned to the United States and began working for International Harvester Corporation in 1955. Working for IH for three decades took Charlie and Shirley from Wichita to Salina, Kansas to Tekamah, Nebraska, Dallas, Texas and eventually Fresno, California. He weathered the bankruptcy of IH and transitioned to working for Case IH until retiring from that position in 1989. At that time he took on a position managing Firebaugh Equipment Company in Firebaugh, California. He truly loved his time in Firebaugh and the people who he had a chance to work with there. After suffering a mild stroke in 1998 he retired a second time, this time to focus his full attention on his children, grandchildren and their various activities.
He was a Mason, a Shriner, as well as a member of the Service Corps of Retired Executives Association. He also was a member of New Covenant Community Church in Fresno and took an active role helping in various ways such as building sets, remodeling the original Adventureland, serving on the bagel team, etc. If there was a building project to be done it was common to call on Charlie. His pastimes always involved family and often included traveling or some form of remodeling project. After his retirement, he was the favorite choice of the grandchildren to shuttle them to dentist and doctor appointments, school pick up, etc. because it was certain to include visiting a Starbucks or McDonald’s Playland, typically resulting in more school being missed then might have been absolutely necessary.
People knew that if they ever needed help with a project they could call on Charlie. Describing your vision for the final product typically resulted in many sleepless nights for him as he drew up plans, developed supply lists, etc. Sometimes it seemed that he took more interest in your project than you might have originally. He was always available to help and looked forward to it.
He is also survived by his daughter Sally Gallagher and her husband John and their children Marshall (wife Courtney), Andrew (wife MacKenzie), and Natalie Parker (husband Randy); his son Scott and Scott’s wife Stacey and their daughters Jessica, Madison Pletz (husband Caleb), and Olivia. His grandchildren blessed him with eight great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Dorothy Morse but was preceded in death by his father Earl Sailor, his mother Alice Sailor and his brother Kenneth Sailor, all from Wichita, Kansas.
A Memorial Service for Charles will be held Friday, July 9, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. at New Covenant Church, 1744 East Nees Avenue, Fresno, CA 93720.
Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are Marshall Gallagher, Andrew Gallagher, Natalie Parker, Jessica Sailor , Madison Pletz and Olivia Sailor.
In Lieu of Flowers, contributions in Charles' memory may be made to American Heart Association Donation Processing Center In Memory of Charles Sailor in the Central Valley, PO Box 742030, Los Angeles, California 90074-2030.
