Charles James Iknoian

Charles James Iknoian, Chuck to friends and family, passed away on November 17, 2024 at the age of 82 years old. Chuck was born on October 8, 1942, in Fresno California to Charles Iknoian Sr and Queenie Iknoian. Chuck was the only child and became very close to his mother after his father passed away of a wrong blood transfusion when Chuck was 11 years old. He worked for Longs Drugs Store for 48 years. Chuck worked for many years as a manager and opened most of the new stores throughout Fresno and Clovis California.

Chuck married Joanne Paboojian on June 3, 1967 and they raised their two children in Fresno CA. Chuck and Joanne had a very strong and loving 57 years of marriage. They loved to travel together especially overseas. You rarely saw one without the other. To Chuck, family was the most important thing in life. No matter how busy he was at work, he always had time for Joanne and the children. He coached his son’s soccer team and was instrumental in his daughter’s career. He drove her to her pharmacy school interviews. When his children were very young, he would set up a hotdog stand on weekends in front of Longs Drugs and have his children sell the hotdogs to learn what it takes to make money.

His Long's Drugs family was a big part of his life. He was well respected and feared at the same time. You never wanted to come to his job interview without a pen. Chuck had a strong work ethic, working as long as it took to get the job done. He would not expect anyone to do something that he would not do himself. He loved to guide his employees into becoming strong hardworking individuals. After retirement he continued to meet his Long’s friends once a week for coffee.

In addition to his close-knit family, Chuck’s circle of friends was vast. He loved going on yearly camping trips with his close groups of buddies. He was on the board of Lake Van Ness and maintained the management of the landscaping for this gated area. He loved gardening whether at his own homes, his kid’s homes or the gated area he lived in. He walked with his walking partner four to six miles a day and sometimes twice a day. Chuck was a member of the Tiger’s club and loved attending the monthly meetings with his buddies. Chuck took joy in running the Christmas party each year and at times playing Santa.

After he retired, Chuck became a constant presence in his grandchildren’s lives. He spent most of his days driving his grandchildren to and from school and activities. He would give them advice and warn them of dangers in the world during their drives. He would always have them say “today is the first day of the rest of my life”, before they left the car. Chuck would say he loved every moment of it.

Chuck is preceded in death by his father Charles Iknoian, mother Queenie Iknoian

And is survived by his beloved wife, Joanne Iknoian; daughter and son in law, Rob and Audra DeGeorge; son and daughter in law, Matt and Anna Iknoian; grandchildren, Gabriella DeGeorge, Zachary DeGeorge, Shant Iknoian, and Alek Iknoian; sister and brother in laws, Pete and Jeanette Parnagian and John and Caroline Paboojian; Aunts, Ruby Baladjanian and Roxie Thomas and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Chuck’s life will be held Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, 2226 E Cesar Chavez Blvd, Fresno, CA 93721.

Following the funeral service will be a committal service at Masis Ararat Armenian Cemetery, 250 N Hughes Ave, Fresno, CA 93706.

Chuck will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his memory will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of sharing in his life.

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