Charles Alvin Stoody

Charles A. Stoody   November 10, 1923 - March 25, 2018   Charles Alvin Stoody, "Charley" passed away suddenly in his home in Fullerton, California at the age of 94. Charley was born in Whittier, CA., the son of Shelley and Lucille Stoody, both from Ohio.  He graduated from Puente High School, where he excelled in the hundred yard dash. Shortly thereafter, he successfully completed rigorous carrier pilot training in the United States Navy, flying the F4F Wildcat and the F6F Hellcat. Charley began his long career at Stoody Co., where the revolutionary idea of producing "Stoodite", the first cast hardfacing rod that became an industry standard, was developed by his father Shelley. Charley continued the legacy created by his father by making his own contributions to the world of hardfacing with products such as Stoody SOS (self shielding, open-arc stainless) and continuous casting.   After being at the helm of Stoody Company as owner and president, Charley retired at age 50, beginning a fulfilling life of adventure with his family. Since childhood, he had enjoyed boating with his father, Shelley, and upon retirement, he helped design the motorboat "Yolanda", mooring the vessel in Newport Beach, CA. He was an avid swimmer, fisherman and scuba diver. His greatest pleasure was cruising the waters of Catalina Island, where he had vacationed as a young child on his father's motoryacht the DoDeen. Charley also cruised the waters of Mexico extensively, visiting the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, and many others.   Charley became a member of Hacienda Country Club while in his twenties, and played golf well into his 80's. He was passionate about cars and motorcycles and could provide details of every car he ever owned, beginning with his first - a yellow 1939 Pontiac. He loved photography, chess, and building model ships. Charley adored his family, and frequently related the story of how he met the love of his life, Yolanda, while vacationing in Las Vegas. Charley and Yolanda celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on March 17.  An honest and sensitive man, Charley donated to many charities, loved animals, and always treated others the way he wanted to be treated. His mantra was: Work Hard and Play Hard, and he certainly lived up to this.   Charley is survived by his wife, Yolanda; children, Julianne Toohey, Rosemarie Stewart, John Stoody and Lynda Murtha; grandchildren Damian, Mikey, Megan, Daniel, Natalie, Hannah, Jackie; and  7 great grandchildren; sister Dionne Youtz of Walla Walla, Washington, and nieces Jeanne, Nancy, Carol and Dolores. A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary's Church in Fullerton, CA, at 9:30 a.m. with interment at Holy Sepulcher Cemetary in Orange on Tuesday, April 3.