Charles Atherton Guard Jr.

Charlie was born on July 10, 1943, in Honolulu to Charles Atherton Guard and Mildred Conow Guard. He grew up in Honolulu and attended Punahou School from kindergarten through graduation. As a young man, he paddled canoe for the Outrigger Canoe Club, ran track, and enjoyed swimming and diving.

After graduating in 1962, Charlie proudly served four years in the U.S. Navy. Following his military service, he worked for Standard Oil on Wake Island and in San Francisco. He returned to Honolulu in 1970, where he began a lifelong career working for his friend Jackie Maguire at Maguire Bearing, both in Honolulu and on Maui.

Charlie was a descendant of Amos Starr Cooke and Juliette Montague Cooke, teachers from Massachusetts who arrived in Honolulu in 1836. At the direction of King Kamehameha III, they founded the Chiefs’ Children’s School, later known as the Royal School, where they taught the last five Hawaiian monarchs. Amos Cooke and his partner, Samuel Castle, later founded Castle & Cooke. Their family has numerous descendants throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

For many years, Charlie paddled as a steersman for the Hawaiian Canoe Club, until his shoulders finally made it impossible for him to continue. He was a huge San Francisco 49’er fan and always had his 49’er flag out on game days. He loved fishing, cooking, and playing the ukulele, which he studied under the tutelage of Walter Kawai‘ae‘a. He loved Hawai‘i, Hawaiian music, and the traditions of the islands.

Charlie was a “good guy”—always ready to pitch in, do someone a favor, or help celebrate a special occasion. For years he was the go-to guy to cook steamship rounds on his traveling huli-huli machine at your luau, wedding, graduation, birthday or celebration (all volunteer). He cooked for First Hawaiian Bank, Haleakala Ranch, HC & S, and The Sugar Museum as well as fundraisers for many non-profit agencies.

The imu at his home in Kula became an annual Thanksgiving tradition.

He had a lifelong love of animals and raised assorted domestic and exotic birds. Feeding people and animals was simply part of who he was.

Every day, he fed the wild birds, while simultaneously yelling at the pigeons to stay away. In addition to his bird menagerie, there were always dogs, cats, goats, and the occasional pig roaming around his property.

He was proud of his heritage, proud of his family, and fiercely loyal to his friends. His grandchildren adored him.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Peter; his first wife, Barbara “Christi” Laws; and his daughter, Moriah.

He is survived by Laurie, his wife of 45 years; his sister, Marilee Hurliman of Cloverdale, Oregon; his nephew, Russell (Marcie) Hurliman of Cloverdale, Oregon; and his four children: Troy Guard (Nikki) of Houston, Texas; Heidi (Tracy) Ring of Peyton, Colorado; Heather Guard of Escondido, California and Lauren Guard of Brunswick, Georgia

Charlie leaves behind five grandchildren—Hannah, Grace, Jagger, Jordyn, and Jameson—and three great-granddaughters—Holly, Halle, and Hudsyn—as well as numerous cousins and other extended family members.

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Keokea on September 12, 2026, at 1 p.m., with a luncheon to follow. Aloha attire is suggested. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Sugar Museum, POB 125, Puunene, HI 96784.

Burial will take place at Oahu Cemetery in Honolulu on September 14, 2026, at 11 a.m., with military honors.