Charles Antoine de La Chapelle Sr.

Charles Antoine de La Chapelle Sr., was born in Chicago, Illinois, April 20, 1922, to Jeannette and Jacques de La Chapelle. He died February 7, 2010, at home. He grew up with his sisters, Zo Lord (Carmel, CA), and Renee Perna (Madison, WI) in Chicago, enjoying outdoor sports. After graduating from Portsmouth Abbey Priory, Rhode Island, He attended Amherst College. In 1941, he interrupted his education to enlist in the US Navy. He served as a dive bomber pilot in the Pacific and was proud of those with whom he served and his country. Following the war, he returned to complete his education at the University of Iowa. During these years he developed an interest in agriculture and chose to move West. He purchased land in the Yakima Valley on the Roza, pushed out the sagebrush and ultimately planted apples and pears. He loved the hard work and watching things grow. He loved sharing his crop with friends and family. He was most thankful for all of the loyal and dedicated employees who helped get the important work done.

Charlie was the first chair of the Yakima Clean Air authority, whose task it was to improve the air quality; the biggest problem was the use of smudge pots, of which he had many, and they succeeded in significantly reducing the smoke from Valley orchards. He was a founding member of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, serving from its inception for many subsequent years as treasurer. He also served numerous years as Chairman of the board of YVCC. He was a lifelong member of the Washington State Horticultural Association and the Yakima Pome Club, whose members and meetings he greatly enjoyed.

He married Carol-Anne Gilbert in 1952, with whom he had 5 children: Catherine Allan (Medina), Charlie de La Chapelle, Jr., Renee Hough (Spokane), Jacqueline Hansmann (San Francisco) and Joanna Cable (Spokane). He is also survived by his two sisters, nine grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Charlie faithfully attend mass at St. Paul Cathedral there most of his life.

His greatest joy was his family. He loved his many friends, too, and delighted in eating and laughing with them all. Chief amongst his hobbies were gardening, crossword puzzles, and laughing through life. And if you laughed at his jokes, we thank you!

To share a memory of Charlie, visit www.mem.com.

A Vigil will be held at 6:00 p.m., Friday, February 12, 2010 at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 9th Avenue Chapel.

Memorial Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 13th at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, donation may be made in Charlie’s name to the donor’s charity of choice in care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902

Keith & Keith Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.