Chuck Anthony Goeres

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Chuck Anthony Goeres who was indeed a born manager. He will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Chuck was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was all about. Everyone acquainted with Chuck knew him as a well-respected man who was a stable force in his community.

Chuck was born on January 15, 1943 at Elgin Hospital in Elgin, North Dakota. His parents were John W. and Laurentina. Chuck was raised in North Dakota. Even as a youngster, Chuck learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.

As a young boy, Chuck was able to put his natural abilities to work. He was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, he liked to organize and direct. Chuck was raised with five siblings. He had four younger brothers, Vern, Ross, Louren and AJ and one younger sister, Audrey, that passed away as an infant. Chuck had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Chuck, this was a natural order of life, one he gladly embraced.

Chuck's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during his childhood. As a young boy, Chuck enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. Chuck took part in basketball. In his spare time he liked basketball and fishing. Chuck's memorable achievements included running the farm at the age of 15 after his father passed.

In school, Chuck was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. He sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of his classes. He would eagerly complete his homework, and often put in extra study time when he felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Chuck was always good at following directions and meeting his schedules, whether they were set by his teachers or were self-imposed. Chuck’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” He graduated from Lemmon High School and then he left to join the Navy in 1960. His favorite class in high school was physical education especially basketball.

Chuck was sociable and approachable. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. He enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Chuck was a member of a group, his interaction worked to keep the others grounded. He wasn’t afraid to confront his friends and, when necessary, he challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Chuck came to expect his high standards of performance. While growing up, his best friend was his brother, Vern Goeres. Everyone liked Chuck he was friends with everyone. Later in life, he became friends with Pablo Vargas, Wayne Schmitz, Verlyn Weishaar, Wayne Weishaar, his brother, Vern, Eddie McMillian, George Bartel, Dave Wright, Rob Gressman, Jimie Tundidor and John Hilseneager.

An objective and conscientious individual, Chuck reveled in the security of his family. On July 11, 1993 Chuck exchanged wedding vows with Mildia De Jesus at the Vegas Chapel of Las Vegas, Nevada. One of Chuck’s most endearing qualities was his uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and his unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for his family and friends.

Chuck was ever watchful of his children. He worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Chuck would give his stamp of approval to their requests, as long as he could see how they might benefit. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his children were properly raised. Chuck was blessed with five children with Joyce Schickling, four sons, Ronald, Edward, Verlyn, and David who was stillborn and one daughter, Crystal. They were also blessed with ten grandchildren, Rachel, Allison, Madison, Shawn, Matthew, Erica, Kaylon, Deanna, GG, and Breanna.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Chuck was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. He was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Chuck was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively and expected the same from his colleagues. In both his personal and professional environments, Chuck upheld his standards. His primary occupation was that he was the King of the sticker business. Known coast to coast as Pancho the sticker man. He built his sticker empire for the last 10 years of his life. He also work in pipeline construction and as a side boom operator and retired in the 1970's. He also farmed a ranch until the 1980's. Chuck was also a professional gambler. Chuck was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Chuck was an Navy veteran. His sense of duty helped lead him into the military where his understanding of rank, his willingness to abide by rules and regulations and his desire to follow orders was admired by his fellow service men and women. He served in 1960.

Chuck approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, he appreciated the hours he was able to devote to his various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were fishing, hunting, and playing poker for he was one of the best poker players. Chuck was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Chuck to do in life and that carried over to his enjoyment of sports. In high school, Chuck played basketball. He also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were boxing, football, basketball, baseball, and rodeo.

Being generous with his time and energy, Chuck liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. He was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. His desire to uphold traditions and his ability to take charge of any type of project made him a tremendous asset. Throughout his later years, Chuck was an active member of the Masonic Blue Lodge #151 in Lemmon, SD, West River Shrine Club in Lemmon, SD, and Naja Temple in Deadwood, SD.

Faith was important to Chuck. He held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay he saw around him. For that reason he held deep spiritual beliefs that he was willing to share. He was a member of the Catholic Church for 69 years.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Chuck used his scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that he made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Chuck had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included Las Vegas, Dominican Republic and Costa Rica.

Chuck was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Chuck’s favorites was the Great Pyrenees. They were best friends for 5 to 6 years.

When Chuck’s retirement arrived in he did not know what "Retire" meant, he was a hard working man. He used his critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been preplanned and attended to. His spent the last of his years in Yuma, Arizona.

Chuck passed away on April 27, 2012 at Yuma Regional Medical Center in Yuma, Arizona. Chuck fought a brave battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife Josie, four children, 3 step children, 6 grandchildren, four brothers, and Georgine. Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 p. m. at Funeraria Del Angel with the Scripture Service to follow at 6:30 p. m. in Yuma, Arizona. Chuck will be laid to rest in the farm were he was born.

All who knew him would agree that Chuck was a pillar of the community. He lived his life with his feet firmly on the ground. He had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in his thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. He was willing to share his ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Chuck Anthony Goeres did his best to ensure that his family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life he touched was given the chance to become a better person.