Charles was born April 7, 1948 in Shelby, Ohio to Dewey Franklin Ford and Helen Irene Benedict. He resided in Galion, Ohio during his childhood graduating from Galion High School in 1967. He then joined the United States Air Force first stationed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
Charles’ Air Force career spanned 32 years with numerous orders including the Philippines, Thailand, Germany, Mountain Home, Japan, Spain, Denmark, Turkey and Canada. He received an Honorable Discharge achieving TSgt in February 2003. During his career, he received many awards including Person of the Quarter in 2001, Best Idea Award, and numerous training certificates.
Charles also worked for Thiokol Corporation in Brigham City, UT providing maintenance for the Space Shuttle segments. He felt his greatest achievement during this employment was working with the engineers to find a fix for the Challenger Explosion O-ring failure.
Charles later went on to be employed by the Department of Defense at Hill AFB, UT retiring from there in 2007.
Charles became a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1970 and went on to serve as a Sunday School Teacher, Scoutmaster and Adult Aaronic General Secretary.
While Charles was working for Thiokol, he also attended Weber State University graduating with a Psychology and Marketing Degree in 1985.
Charles enjoyed astronomy. He was often called on to conduct Star Parties with his Meade, Schmidt-Cassegrain 8” GPS Telescope for the Scout Program, Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival and other local events. He was a member of the Salt Lake Astronomical Society.
Charles also enjoyed studying gun safety and shooting, knife making, traveling, history, reading, music and camping. Charles thoroughly enjoyed his Breedlove guitar, took a number of guitar lessons but mainly became self-taught by practicing everyday.
Charles married Daneec Ipsen in 1969. They were later divorced. He married Kathleen Ann McIntyre in February 2000.
Charles is survived by his wife, Kathleen McIntyre, daughters, Valeree Elizabeth Durbin, Monica Mae Holdaway (Chris) and Heather Pauline Anderson (Colt), 3 step children (Aaron Nicolaides, Kevin Nicolaides (deceased) and Matthew Nicolaides), brother Kirk Benedict Ford, 9 grandchildren (Kyle Durbin, Talie Durbin Fuentes, Michael Holdaway, Chelsey Holdaway Smith, Courtnee Holdaway, Brathen Anderson, Sera Anderson Mall, Hunter Anderson, and Miriam Anderson), 6 step grandchildren (Jordan Nicolaides, Alexi Nicolaides Schumacher, Alli Nicolaides, Joshua Nicolaides, Connor Iarussi and Kaleb Nicolaides) and 4 great-grandchildren (Bentley Anderson, Forrest Anderson, Hudson Anderson and Ashley Fuentes).
Charles wishes to express his love for his entire family and friends that supported him throughout his life.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 26, 2022 from 9:00am to 10:00am at the Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV with graveside service from 10:40am to 11:40am at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City, NV.
A dinner for family and friends will then be held at Sun City MacDonald Ranch, 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Henderson, NV beginning at 2:00pm catered by Willows Restaurant.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmboulderhighway.com for the Ford family.
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