Charles W. Lear

Early on the morning of April 19, 2021 US Army Sgt Major Charles William Lear was called by his Lord and Savior to heaven. Services have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and a celebration of Mr. Lear’s life will be held on Friday, April 23, 2021 at Bodine Baptist Church at 3501 SE 59th in OKC. Burial with full military honors will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Public visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, April 22, 2021 from 4-8pm. The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home facebook page at facebook.com/MemorialParkOKC.

Charles was born on March 22, 1927 in Royersford, PA to Charles William Lear Sr and Katherine Norine Goodman Lear. He was drafted into the US Army during his junior year of high school in 1945. He attended basic training in Florida before being stationed in Germany following WWII. He was honorably discharged and returned to Pennsylvania where he joined the US Army Reserve. He finished high school and attended Business College before starting a long career with US Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Company in Philadelphia.

In 1963, he was sent by USF&G to Oklahoma City to lead their accounting Department, retiring in 1997. Charles joined the 45th Infantry Division and served as a clerk at the Officer Candidate School. He retired from the military in 1987 following 41 years of patriotic service.

In November of 1964 Charles met a widow and two of her three children. A date came next, followed 9 days later by a proposal. Charles and Lorraine Moore Shelton, his best friend and the love of his life, were married on February 5, 1965. Charles and Lorraine began a life together that passed quickly as the girls married and grandchildren followed. Charles was a family man and his relationship with the Lord was a top priority in his life. He served Jesus Christ alongside the congregation at Bodine Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, where he also served as a trustee for many years.

Charles was a kind and selfless man who enjoyed golfing, reading books, and volunteering at the 45th Infantry Museum in OKC. He was a quiet and reserved man but when he spoke, people listened. He loved watching OU football, traveling to Israel, Colorado, and the Western United States. He went out of his way to brighten people’s day and you could always tell when he was joking because the corner of his mouth would quiver. Charles was a loyal husband, a dedicated father, a proud grandfather, a true patriot, and a trusted friend. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.

Proceeding him in death were his parents; brother John Carroll Lear; step-daughter Carolyn Sue Shelton and Kathryn Anne Chaffin. He is survived by his wife of 56 yrs Lorraine Moore Lear; step daughter Rose Ellen Frasure and husband John; grandchildren: Jerry Lee Baker, Diannia Ballew, Christine Long, James Lee Thompson and wife Kari, and Priscilla Ann Scott and husband Chuck;tep grandchildren: Mandy Matzkevech and husband Nathan, Jared Chaffin and wife Heather; great grandchildren : Hollie Baker, Samantha Brandt, Jennifer Hattendorf and husband Steve, Elizabeth Young, Johnethan Young, Chloe Webster Platt and husband Chris; step great grandchildren: Hannah West, Dawson Matzkevech, Bryce Matzkevech, Josie Wortman and husband Jordan, Coen and Carden Chaffin, Chayton Matzkevech; great great grandchildren: Rylin Young, Brandon and Alexa Thompson, Chloe Webster, D.J. and Sierra Scott, Abigale and CJ Platt, Rylee Jo Baker, Chayson and Creed Wortman; and son-in-law Tommy Chaffin and wife Lin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite missionary organization or please plant a flower or tree in Charles’ memory.