Charles Alan Lathrem

Alan, 86, passed away in Tucson, AZ on June 14, 2026. He leaves behind family and friends full of memories of time spent together.

Charles Alan Lathrem was born on May 22, 1940 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada to Charles and Alice Lathrem because his father was working in Montreal. His family moved to Dayton, Ohio when he was entering 2nd grade. Alan was an Eagle Scout and attained the God and Country Award. Alan graduated from Fairmont High School in Kettering, Ohio in 1958. He went on to attend Miami University, Ohio State and University of Arizona. He spent most of his career working as an electrician in Tucson.

Alan and Janice were married on August 6, 1961, after having met in geometry class when they were 15 years old. This year would have marked their 65th wedding anniversary. In 1962, Alan joined the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1965. During his time in the Navy, he was stationed in Yuma, AZ. He immediately fell in love with the desert and lived in Tucson, Arizona the rest of his life. Alan and Janice raised two children together, Linda and Joe. He loved being a dad, so much so that on Father’s Day, he always gave Janice a gift because he was grateful she made him a father. He never gave her a Mother’s Day gift because she wasn’t his mother.

While in Tucson, Alan was an active member of the community. He joined St. James United Methodist Church in 1974 and was actively involved in many church activities and for many years ran the church’s sound system. Additionally, he was a Boy Scout Leader and served on the Flowing Wells Fire District Board for 20 years. He was also an avid train buff. They traveled all over the country to look at trains and attend train conventions. He was a member of the Tucson Garden Railway Society (TGRS), SASME, a model railroad club, and National Model Railroad Association (NMRA).

Alan loved to travel across the country and into Canada by car, taking frequent detours to see something interesting. He loved traveling the back roads over the highways. In every state they visited, Alan and Janice made a point to visit the state capital and take a picture. Alan also loved going to Disneyland, his first trip was in 1964. He especially loved sharing Disneyland with his children and grandchildren. In 2018, Alan got to visit Disneyland during the Christmas season, which had been a dream of his for many years.

Alan loved to read and enjoyed sharing his love of reading with his family. He read books, magazines and newspapers. He often would read the same books as his grandchildren or daughter. He also gifted magazine subscriptions to the family. Alan loved gospel and country music and was always disappointed he didn’t have any musical talent. Alan enjoyed going to the movies and took his kids and grandchildren many times over the years. Alan never met a stranger, only someone who had not yet become a friend. He could talk to anyone, anywhere.

Alan is survived by his treasured wife Janice Kay Lathrem; his brother Douglas Winston Lathrem (spouse Vilma Lathrem); his daughter Linda Lori Lynch (spouse Willard Lynch); his son Charles Joseph Lathrem (spouse Kristin Lathrem); his grandchildren, David Justin Loehrs (spouse Caitlyn Jarema), Alexis Kathryn Lynch, Ethan Joseph Lathrem and Benjamin Kyl Lathrem; and his great grandson Lennox Jensen Jarema Loehrs. He also has many cherished nephews, nieces and cousins.

His absence in our lives will be felt every day, but we have the dear memories to comfort us as we navigate this new world without him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Alan’s favorite charities: Wounded Warriors and National Trust for Historic Preservation.

A memorial service will be held for Alan at St James United Methodist Church located at 3255 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 on Saturday, June 27th at 1:00pm. A reception will be held immediately following the service.