Charles Kirksey

With heavy hearts, the family of Charles Lee "Chuck" Kirksey share that he has left this world at 87-years old, on to another adventure. As he so often said, he was "ready to go!" He passed away peacefully in the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Marty Prue, in Highland Village, TX after a lengthy illness. Chuck was born to Mr. Charles Lee Sr. and Mrs. Julia Toscano Kirksey in Los Angeles, CA on August 19, 1927. He was raised on Beach Hill in Santa Cruz and was a lifelong resident. He attended Santa Cruz High School where he played football, basketball and baseball. He graduated in June of 1945. Right after finishing school, he joined the Navy at age 17. He served with honor on a Destroyer, the "Mighty 6-90 Scott." While this humble man rarely discussed his service for many decades, in the last few years his time in the Navy during WWII became a point of reflection and pride. Following his service, he enrolled in college courses and would graduate from Hartnell College in Salinas, CA. In 1948, Chuck married Dolores Rose Eyraud; the couple had two children, James Lee (1949) and Sue Carol (1951) before divorcing around 1954. In 1956, Chuck met and married Elizabeth Lee "Liz/Betty" Wilson, a native of Paisley, Scotland. Their enduring love would serve as an inspiration for generations to come. They were an exemplary couple and great fun to be around. Chuck and Liz loved to travel, journeying to Scotland countless times through the years to visit family, and spending most every Thanksgiving in Hawaii. Her sister Wee Jean was a favored companion for their adventures, the trio often referred to as "The Three Musketeers!" Chuck worked for over 30 years for the William Wrigley Corporation, retiring from full time employment in 1983 after a distinguished career. While working for Wrigley's, he enjoyed playing competitive fast pitch softball on recreational teams. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He had many dogs through the years, but chances are you might have known or heard stories of his favorite Springer Spaniel, Spunky. Chuck was a dedicated member of VFW Post 5888, the International Catholic Federation, the Marconi Club, and the Sons of Italy. He swam often for recreation with the Silver Dolphin Club at the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz, even as an octogenarian. He was a regular at many Santa Cruz favorites around town, including Gilda's on the Municipal Wharf, Zachary's, and Marianne's, where he would meet his friends Ross Jones, Don Guiduci and many others to "shoot the bull" every week. Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Charles Lee Kirksey, his mother, Julia Toscano Kirksey, his sister, Betty Marie, maternal grandparents, prominent Los Banos and Santa Cruz pioneers James V. and Maria Sarbo Toscano, uncles Joseph, William and Anthony Toscano, aunts Margaret Toscano Willian, Rose Toscano Bartolomeoni, Violet Toscano Stephens and Jeanne Toscano Meyers, many cousins, grandson Ozais Patrick Prue, sisters in law "Big" Jean Wilson, Mamie Wilson Allen, "Wee" Jean Wilson Riney, and by his beloved wife of 54 years, Elizabeth Lee Wilson Kirksey (2010). Chuck is survived by his son, James Lee Kirksey and daughter in law, Kathy Kirksey, grandchildren, Sandra Rose Kirksey, Brent Lee Kirksey, Sean James Kirksey (wife Jordan) and Leah Elizabeth Kirksey Berry (husband Burck); his daughter, Sue Carol Kirksey Prue and son in law Marty Prue, grandchildren, Ivy Shoshannah Prue, Livea Alora Prue, Savanah Lea Prue-King (husband Matt), Tovah Anika Prue; great grandchildren Aidan and Lily Steputis (Ivy), Cason Prue (Livea), Noah (Sean), Charles and Elizabeth Berry(Leah); Nieces Jackie Wilson Baeza (husband Isidro), Leslie Wilson Fischer (husband Tom), Tammy Wilson McDowell (husband Bryan), nephew Joey Lopez (wife Cathy) and many, great-nieces and nephews and numerous cousins. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 17th, 2015 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Garden Chapel at 1050 Cayuga Street, Santa Cruz, CA. Committal and entombment will follow at Santa Cruz Memorial Park's Mausoleum at Mission Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to The Boys and Girls Club of Santa Cruz, 543 Center Street, or to VFW Post 5888, Veteran's Memorial Building, 846 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA.