Charles A Etem

Charles Augustus Etem III left us on September 8, 2025, to continue his journey to reunite with his beloved wife, Carol. Chuck was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 17, 1953. He attended Ruskin High School, and post-graduation, Chuck served in the United States Navy. While living on the Plaza and working as an emergency medical technician, Chuck met his next-door neighbor and the love of his life, Carol, in 1976. They enjoyed 48 years together until Carol passed in May 2024.

Carol and Chuck raised their children, Jill, Emily, and Mark, in the Christ the King Catholic School and Church community in the Waldo neighborhood of Kansas City. Chuck encouraged his children to pursue higher education and work hard in whatever they do. He often shared quotes that will stay with them forever; “hustle”, “a job worth doing is a job worth doing right,” and “shoulders back, head up.”

Chuck was a dedicated manager at Jerry’s Sports Shop where he excelled at customer service and management while showcasing his love of sports. Chuck later became a real estate professional helping clients buy and sell properties in Kansas and Missouri for over 25 years. Chuck loved working with his clients and striving to surpass their expectations, while developing lifelong friendships with clients and colleagues.

Chuck enjoyed gardening his many roses, going to movies in the theater, watching westerns, reading U.S. history books, visiting roadside historical markers, enjoying Carol’s cooking, walking with his dog Rocky, and cheering on the Royals and the Chiefs. Papa cherished time with his five grandchildren, who are an enormous source of joy and pride.

Chuck loved planning out a trip with maps and travel guides. Chuck and Carol enjoyed many trips over the years, especially their journey to Yellowstone, the Tetons, and Jackson, Wyoming; this road trip was truly a dream come true. Chuck made his final trip in late July with a move to the Des Moines, Iowa area for hospice care after a year of cancer treatments.

Chuck is preceded in death by his wife Carol Etem, parents Marialice and Charles A. Etem II, and parents-in-law Eileen and Lee Babcock. He is survived by his daughter Jill Dinges (Aaron), daughter Emily Brady (Jason), son Mark Etem (Malinda), grandson Abraham, grandson Liam, granddaughter Rory, grandson George, grandson Henry, brother Jim Etem, sister Julie Royse, sister Kathy Lyon (Bill), brother Richard Etem (Barbara), brother Mike Etem (Sue), sister Mary Hayes (Gary), and many nieces and nephews. Rocky, the Shih Tzu, will forever miss his walking buddy until they meet again.

A visitation will be held at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2 E. 75th St., Kansas City, MO 64114 on Saturday, September 13, at 10:00 A.M. A funeral Mass and luncheon will immediately follow at 11:00 A.M. A graveside burial service at Floral Hills Cemetery, 7000

Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64133 will take place after the luncheon. All friends and family are welcome to attend the visitation, Mass, luncheon, and burial service.

In lieu of flowers, Jill, Emily, and Mark request donations in Chuck’s honor to EveryStep Kavanagh Hospice House in Des Moines (www.everystep.org) and Pawsperity Grooming School in Kansas City (www.pawsperity.org). Both organizations epitomize the virtues of faith, hope, and love, which Chuck held dear.