Charles Autman Van Zandt

Charles “Charlie” Autman Van Zandt was born November 6, 1934 to James Autman and Ruth Aquilla (Baker) Van Zandt in Havana, Arkansas. He spent his childhood years in and around Danville, AR graduating from Danville High School.

At age 19, he joined the Navy and traveled the world on aircraft carriers crossing the equator numerous times.

He met Norma Ruth Gower in 1958 in Kansas City where she invited him to church. It was there that he met Jesus and his life was changed forever. On November 14, 1958 he and Norma were married at the Kansas City Baptist Temple (Graceway) where they attended for 63 years and made many lasting friendships in the Berean (Way of Life) Class. He also went through Shepherd school and later taught a small Bible study class. Loving the Word of God, he and Norma memorized many Scriptures together.

He grew up in a very musical family, learning to play the guitar at an early age. During his childhood, the family would gather around the piano for gospel singin’s. Years later, he played and sang in a band called “God’s Country Four” with his daughter Terry, Harold Massey, and Darlene Burks Mensendiek where they traveled to perform at local churches and events. Charlie was a passionate reader, loving westerns.

He worked for Bendix (Honeywell) as an electrician and then a maintenance foreman before retiring in 1986 at the age of 52. He spent the next few years renovating their 100 year-old-home, making all of the interior woodwork himself including cabinets. Years later he hit the road again, this time without his guitar but behind the wheel of a travel tour bus chauffeuring tourists across the United States.

He was an avid gardener planting all of their favorite vegetables on their one acre, and over the years raised various farm animals: rabbits, chickens, ducks, a heifer and even a horse.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother.

He is survived by his wife Norma of 63 years, daughter Terry Leone (Stefano), son Eddie Van Zandt, and close friend of the family, Jim Caldwell, granddaughter Lindsay Mincks (Chris Schmidt). Siblings: James Van Zandt (Ruth), Charlene Fowler (Charles), Phyllis George (Compton), JoAnn Taylor (Joe) and Doyle “Bud” Van Zandt (Denise).

“He never asked anything of [anyone] and gave everything.”