Wyndel Lee Quarles

To most family, friends and associates “Butch” was how he was known.

Butch spent his early years in Guthrie Oklahoma where he began his enjoyment of sports, especially baseball. Butches father would have baseball games on his transistor radio all over the house. His mother insisted on the knowledge of the teachings of Christ and Butch was raised and educated in the Church of Christ.

His family moved to Chihuahua, New Mexico when he was five years old. After a short stay in Chihuahua the family moved on to Roswell, New Mexico. There he began attending school and became involved in Little League baseball. Shortly after their arrival, Butch was injured when he was struck by a City Water Truck while riding his bicycle. For sometime Butch terrorized his siblings with the crutches he had to use due to a broken leg. One day he decided to harass a hive of bees. Of course, the bees were not amused, they got loose and wore him out!

Butch was somewhat of a quiet guy but was a good student and athlete in school. He attended elementary and some secondary school in Roswell until his family relocated to Seaside, California. He continued to play baseball wherever he was. He attended Monterey High School where he was a Jr Varsity and Varsity outfielder on the school baseball team. He graduated from Monterey High School in 1958. He went on to Monterey Peninsula College for two years and continued to play baseball.

Butch played baseball with the Seaside Bombers, a semi-professional baseball team managed by the United States Open Baseball Hall of Famer Misa Jackson. Most of these teams had excellent seasons, some ending the season 20-0.

He was called to serve in the United States Army on October 3, 1961. The Army took Butch to New York, Georgia, Italy and to France. He would light up when he told stories of these adventures. He would send photos, cards and letters from each place to share with his parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. He was honorably discharged from the Army on September 23, 1964 having earned a badge for rifle Marksman and credentials as a Lineman.

When he returned back to Seaside, Butch took a job with Pacific Gas & Electric. When an opportunity came he was hired on March 31, 1968 as a Pump man with California American Water Company. When he retired July 2001, he had worked for 33 years. During his time with the water company, he was an active Union official. He ended his employment as a Production Supervisor. He incorporated his love of baseball while working with the water company, playing, listening and watching whenever he could.

In 1986, Butch met and courted Barbara Waldrup. On June 15, 1987 they were married in Pacific Grove. They spent loving and tender time with each other. Barbara was the traveler but sometime Butch would join her when she would go to Virginia. He always traveled to family functions whether they were in Colorado, Arizona or California.

Butch had the calm demeanor of an older man. Always a gentle man. He was the surrogate father to many children, including his wife’s three children from a previous relationship. He was the most attentive and favored uncles, keeping you in line and chastising when necessary. The uncle with the best advice! He was always giving! He said “when I’m asked to loan money I don’t mind because if they don’t pay me back, they don’t come around and I’m good with that!” He had a kind of dry sense of humor that could leave you laughing and thinking at the same time. When he would crack a joke, he would crack himself up more. He was an intelligent and calculating man setting and reaching goals much like a pitcher on the mound or a runner on second base.

Butch was an active member of the Seaside Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8679. Annually, the nearly 2 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 8.6 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volunteer Week. From providing over $3 million in college scholarships and savings bonds to students every year, to encouraging elevation of the Department of Veterans Affairs to the president's cabinet, the VFW is there. During most holidays you could count on Butch and his wife Barbara serving meals at Monterey Fairgrounds for the hungry and homeless.

Wyndel Lee Quarles [Butch] left this life on September 28, 2022. He was proceeded in death by his parents Mortie and Clara, his sisters Iris Quarles, Dorothy Freeman, Vivian White, Leona Dudley, Barbara Quarles his brothers James Quarles, William Quarles, Mortie Jr, and Ira Quarles.

Butch is survived by his wife, Barbara Quarles of Seaside, CA and her three children, his sister Viva Rhodes of Chico, California. A host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and special friends.

“THANK YOU”

In times like these, we are made aware of God’s presence and love and fellowship and friends.

We thank you for your concerns and prayers, but most of all for just being there. We thank each of you from the depths of our hearts.

The family of

Wyndel Lee Quarles

A visitation for Wyndel will be held Sunday, October 16, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Bayside Community Mortuary, 1610 Noche Buena Street, Seaside, California 93955. A funeral service will occur Monday, October 17, 2022 at 9:00 AM, 1610 Noche Buena Street, Seaside, California 93955. A burial with military honors will occur at California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery, 2900 Parker Flat Rd., Seaside, California. A repast will occur Monday, October 17, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baysidecommunitymortuary.com for the Quarles family.