Charles Edward Metten

Charles “Charlie” Edward Metten, passed in his sleep on Monday, August 19, 2024. At the time of his passing, he was living at Bayshire Assisted Living facility in Yorba Linda, CA. Before that, he had lived in Fullerton, CA since 1969. He was 97 years old.

He was born on September 8, 1926, in South Charleston, WV to William and Julia Metten. He was the middle child with an older sister Mary Ann and a younger brother Robert. All of whom served our country in the Military. Mary Ann - Army: Charles- Navy; Robert- Marines.

He graduated from South Charleston High School in May 1943 and was Student Body President his senior year. He attended West Virginia Tech in May 1943 before enlisting in the Navy on December 31, 1943, where he served until May 8, 1946, on board the destroyer tender, USS Cascade He wanted to become a pilot but was told he was ¼ inch too short. This was the time when Kamakazis were the weapon of choice for the Japanese, but luckily his ship did not get hit but he saw several that did.

When he returned home, his mom and dad had a small grocery store. In that store was a young lady named Lucille, who eventually became his wife for 63 years. More on that later.

After returning home, he re-started college in September 1946 at Morris Harvey College in Charleston, WV where he received his B.S.Degree in Chemistry in 1954,

Charlie worked in the laboratory of Union Carbide, became a Research Chemist, and has his name on some patents. He eventually went into sales and in 1969, took a position in the Long Beach, CA Sales Office of Union Carbide, which resulted in moving the family to Southern California where they purchased a home in Fullerton, CA where he lived until he went into Assisted Living in February of 2024.

Charlie and Lucille were married on December 27, 1947, in New York in a blizzard. They stayed at the Pennsylvania Hotel which is synonymous with the famous song Pennsylvania 6-5000. He and Lucille eventually built a house in the Spring Hill area of South Charleston and later moved into the house next door. During this time Charles A (Chuck) was born in 1953 and Michael Joseph was born in 1955. The Family moved to California in 1969. Lucille passed away in 2011.

Charlie had a strong faith and commitment to the Lord and, as a family, we attended St. Timothy Lutheran Church in South Charleston, WV before moving to Fullerton where we attended First Lutheran Church of Fullerton. Later Charlie became a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Brea, CA.

An interesting side note: It turned out that the Sr. Pastor at First Lutheran Church was the mission church pastor that started St. Timothy in WV.

Charlie was a Husband, Father, Grandfather, WWII Veteran, Caddy, Cub Scout Pack Leader, Little League Coach (but did not coach his kids), Lions Club member, Church Usher, Fullerton Y.M.C.A member, Sales Manager, Turkey Hunter, Joke Teller, MC’r, Traveler, Avid golfer for 80 years, Crossword Puzzler, Avid Reader, Coffee Steward for the “Y”, and don’t forget- Student Body President his High School Year.

Charlie had a great sense of humor (probably why he was asked to MC many Sales Meeting roasts, banquets, etc.. One of his go-to slogans, when asked his age, was, “I don’t even buy green bananas anymore.” That must have lasted 20 years. He could remember and tell stories like they happened yesterday when many of us had trouble remembering what we had to eat the day before. He was very proud of his grandchildren and bragged about them all the time. He lived a life he was proud of and I think that is a legacy in itself

Highlights: Saw his grandchildren born and grow up into responsible and respectful adults. As a WWII veteran, he was invited to go on Honor Flight's Orange County Chapter’s inaugural flight to Washington DC. and a flight with Gary Sines’s Organization to take Veterans to the WWII Museum in New Orleans.

He was able and fortunate to make many trips to Europe, various cruises, and travel the United States with friends.

Even though he played golf for over 80 years, he got his first Hole-In-One in his 90’s at Goose Creek Golf Course.

Charlie is survived by his two sons Chuck and Mike Metten, Daughters-In-Law Christine and Gloria Metten, and Grandchildren Brianna, Brandon (and his wife Bri), and Kevin Metten and his fiance, Cynthia.

The Memorial Service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Brea, CA at 4:00 PM on Friday, September 20, 2024.