Charles D. Pass

Charles Dewayne Pass was born August 27th 1925, in Wilson, OK, the son of Charles Coachworth and Nellie Lucile (Robinson) Pass. He was raised alongside three brothers and one sister, Richard, Nolan, Jerry and Dathene. The family was raised in the oil field of Oklahoma and farmed as well. Charles attended a one room school in SW Oklahoma where he graduated. While growing up, Charles was active in Boy Scouts of America. He played clarinet in the High School Band and also for the Navy Band. He was a music lover and taught himself to play the banjo and the ukulele. He graduated during one of the most turbulent times for the world, World War II. He had complete a special program, V12, so he could become an officer at 17 his senior year. Immediately following school, he was enlisted in the United States Navy, in Sewanee, TN. He served in the Navy as a General Deck Officer, Gunnery Officer, and Commissary Officer aboard the USS PCE(R)-853, a Destroyer-Escort ship. He received the American Theatre, the Asiatic-Pacific and Victory Medal for services from June of 1943 until his honorable discharge on June of 1946 in Memphis, TN. Where he served was responsible for the shooting down of a Val (AichiD3A) Carrier Bomber, served as a rescue ship for wounded as well as casualties of war. He service in the Navy during a crucial time of war shaped the man he was to become, a true gentleman. He returned to Oklahoma following the war and began his studies earning his Mechanical Engineering Degree. On December 22nd, 1946, he married the love of his life and the mother of his children, Doris Mae Vest. Their love story continued until Doris passed in March of 2022. They raised two children, one son, Dewayne G. and Annette, both of them made Charles so very proud. Charles was a man of many talents, who knew he had the ability to conquer anything he decided to do. He dreamed of restoring a 1929 Ford Model A Roadster, and a 1956 T Bird. He built and taught himself to sail a sailboat. At the age of 75, he took flying lessons, and bought a Cessna along with two buddies. He had a bucket list if you will of landing at 100 different airports, and attained 98 of them, being forced to quit due to poor eye sight. He was the author of three books, Navy Memories 1943-1954, Arbuckle Mountain Chronicles and Pilot Log. Charles and Doris loved traveling the world, making memorable trips to Russia, traveling by Siberian Railroad, and crossed the desert by camel. He was an aficionado, and loved music from classical and musicals, to Moody Blues, Peter, Paul and Mary and the Smothers Brothers. To know Charles was to meet a truly special man, he was kind, generous to anyone who needed him, and was always there to help a neighbor in need. He had unshakable faith, and trusted his instincts to guide him through life. Charles passed from this life on May 3rd, 2024 in Tahlequah, OK, surrounded by those who knew and loved him. He was 98 years old and leaves a legacy that will not be forgotten.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, his mother and father, his wife of 76 years, Doris, and three brothers.

Those left to celebrate this wonderful man’s memory include his son, Dewayne Pass and wife Sally of Tulsa, OK, and Annette Sunlin and husband Don of Tahlequah, OK. He leaves his sister, Dathene Kassey of Norman, OK. He lives on in his grandchildren, Anneka Sunlin of Colorado, Leah Sunlin-Trollinger and husband Troy of Texas, Aaron Sunlin of Arkansas, Jairia Pass of California, and Tamara Pendleton of Texas. There are also five adored great grandchildren, Tyler Trollinger, Tessa Trollinger, Rylee Doyle, Freya Pendelton, Charles Pendelton, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.