Charles "Chuck" F. Piper Jr.

Charles joined his Lord in Heaven on May 3, 2015. He was born September 29, 1925 in South Bend, Indiana. He was a true Indiana “Hoosier” thru and thru, as well as, a loyal and diehard Chicago Cub fan. Chuck was a dedicated Christian, loving husband, father, grandpa and great granddad. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Sr and Bernice and sisters, Elaine Overholser and Darlene Nuest of Indiana. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of sixty-five years, Betty Jean (his ‘Babe’), sons Charlie (Geri) of Arizona, Chris (Margo) of Las Vegas, Nevada and daughter Cynthia Jeanne Piper Davis (Gary) of Guild, Tennessee. His grandchildren, Rachel Miller (Nate), Scott Haverfield (Corine), Katie Lynn Lake (David), Heather Piper, Megan Blankenship, William ‘Bumper’ Davis, Kelsey Faris (Derek) and Cody Piper. Great Grandchildren: Logan, Ethan, Makena, Haley, Peyton and Gracie and niece, Kim Overholser. Chuck served our country as a Merchant Marine during World War II in the Pacific. He also served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. He dearly loved his country and was proud to be a veteran of our Armed Services. He chose a career as a teacher, counselor and coach. He dearly loved his educational career in Indiana and California high schools and also at Imperial Valley and Victor Valley College. Coach Piper enjoyed the challenge of assisting young men and women with their athletic and personal endeavors. He coached all of the sports; his most favorite - baseball, football, basketball, track, wrestling, boxing, swimming and even women’s softball. He was an accomplished author and published various sports articles throughout his career. He also enjoyed helping people achieve their dreams, be it by beginning a new career or simply by helping achieve their goals and aspirations. Chuck finished his work career as a General Manager for Forever Living Products in Central California. Chuck never met a stranger and would begin most conversations, “So where are you from?” He and his wife enjoyed traveling and visiting their many, many friends. Chuck was also a proud member of the Turlock Masonic Lodge, the Murat Shriners of Indianapolis and the American Legion. For the past 15 years, he and Betty resided in Surprise at the Arizona Traditions Community and most recently the Montecito Senior Living in Peoria. He will be terribly missed by all who have been blessed to have known him throughout the 89 years of his life. But, as a “good and faithful servant”, he has entered into his greatest awaited opportunity of serving his Lord and Savior in heaven. Viewing services will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2015, between 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 West Bell Road, Surprise, Arizona. We will also have a Masonic and Veterans Honors ceremony at 2:00 pm. Burial will be in Citrus Heights, California. In lieu of flowers, Chuck would encourage donations to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.