Charles Priputin

On January 9, 2024, our Dad shook off the cloak of his illness, opened his arms, and welcomed the angels who came to take him to his eternal home. He was born in Paterson, NJ on November 24, 1934 to Kiril (Charles) and Ilona (Helen) Preputin. Our Dad’s given name was Kiril just like his Dad’s, but everyone called him Charlie. At some point his last name became Priputin, and no one knows when or why the ‘e’ became an ‘i’. Dad was predeceased by his parents, brother Andrew (Andy), sisters Anna (Annie) and Elizabeth (Betty).

When Dad’s first steps on his final journey began in early April 2023, his goal was to reach June 20 and celebrate his and Mom’s 64th wedding anniversary. The doctors thought that was a stretch goal, but they didn’t know our Dad! He met that goal with no problem, and he and Mom celebrated 64 years of marriage and 69 years of being a couple. The next big goal was to reach Thanksgiving and his birthday. Check, goal reached. Then there was Christmas. Oh, he did not want anything to happen during the Christmas season. Dad said he was not going to ruin anyone’s Christmas and no matter that his family told him it was okay, he continued to fight and fight and fight. He celebrated Christmas and enjoyed having gifts to open and a present in his stocking. It was wonderful to see him smile. We got to wish him a Happy New Year, and he and Mom kissed as the ball dropped in NY. Within days he started to tire, and after 9 months and 8 days from when he was rushed to the emergency room, he got his wings. Mom and Karen were by his side, holding his hand, letting him know he was loved.

If you didn’t know our Dad, you missed out on knowing someone special. Our Dad never met a person that wasn’t his friend. He was comfortable in any situation with any person. He loved to crack jokes, laugh, and entertain. At home we would frequently hear him singing, something he still did even when his time on Earth was shortening, holding an impromptu sing-a-long with his hospice nurse, Michelle. Dad was also a story-teller. He loved to tell stories of his youth. Of the crazy things he did. Of his time playing baseball (something he excelled at!) and of his time working at DuPont when he and Mom were first married. He would also tell stories about his kids to anyone who would listen. How proud he was of his boys, Chuck, Gary, and Tory and his daughter, Karen. He would tell his friends of his children’s accomplishments, of what they did for a living, where they lived, their houses, their children, and well, basically everything about them.

Another thing about our Dad. He loved God and his country. He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Council No. 11661 in Overland Park, KS. He served in the US Army and retired from the US Coast Guards Reserves. He was proud of America and supported our veterans. He cared about where our country was heading, with he and Mom often having long conversations about just that while watching a political show or two at night.

And let’s not forget his love of sports! If there was any kind of game on TV (baseball, football, basketball), or if golf was televised, he was watching. Dad was an outstanding baseball player in his youth. And he was a pretty good golfer as an adult. He taught each of his kids how to play baseball and basketball, gave them each an education on what it meant to be a member of a team, and taught them to be strong both on the field (or court) and off.

Dad also loved his bonus daughters, Allison (Chuck’s wife), Tina (Gary’s wife), Amy (Tory’s wife) and his bonus son, Chris (Karen’s husband). He loved hearing from them and seeing their faces, but most of all he loved how each couple was happy and healthy. His grandkids Gary II, Joshua, Justin, Hunter, Kyle, Allison, Jordan, Scott, Adam, Aaron, and great-grandkids Daniel, Gary III, Natalia, Abigail, Micah, Aurora, and Bryson were also held close to his heart.

His greatest love was his wife, Patricia. He told the doctors and nurses about her and how long they had been married. Even at his sickest he was worried about her, asking if “Mother” was ok. Was “Mother” eating well, getting her rest, and was she “ok”. That week in April in the hospital, he and Mom spent hours reminiscing and those memories would get shared more and more frequently as time went on. He was proud of their life together, of the children they raised, and of their lasting marriage. He loved her and she loved him. She was the one who calmed him in his final weeks, who stroked his hands and his head and his face, who kissed him and who told him to save her a place for when they were reunited.

We will be strong, Dad. We are your legacy. We thank you for your lessons, your guidance, and your love. We will continue to live our lives with the values you taught us. You have left a giant hole in our lives and our hearts, and one day we will meet again. We are looking forward to that giant hug that awaits us. For now, rest in peace. Know we will take care of Mom and each other. And know you were loved. A lot.

The family would like to thank the special home-hospice nurses that took such amazing care of Charlie. Neva, Suzanne, and Michelle. You are angels on Earth. We cannot thank you enough for the love and caring you shared. May God bless you and hold you close.

A Visitation will be held at McGilley State Line Chapel on January 26th from 9:30-11:30am with a Catholic Mass directly thereafter at 12 noon at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The Mass will have a live stream for those unable to attend in person. Following the Mass, a celebration of life luncheon will be held at the Church. A private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in our Dad’s name can be made to either the American Diabetes Association or with your local Catholic Charities.