Charles L. Smith “Chuck,” 81, of Riverside, California was born on August 4, 1933, in Ketchum, Oklahoma, to Walter and Bervie Smith. He passed away Friday, June 5, 2015 at Loma Linda University Medical Center.
Chuck moved to Riverside (La Sierra) in 1942 and proudly served his country in the United States Navy. Following his service, he had the opportunity to work in the masonry trade with his brother-in-law Kenneth Newby.
He married his beloved wife Jo Ann on May 16, 1954 and by 1971 had started his own masonry contracting company, C.L. Smith Company Inc., where he worked for 17 years before retiring at the age 55. He took great pride in his business and truly relished the friends he made during this time.
Chuck had a passion for horseback riding and reminisced about the many rides he made in the High Sierras. He was a long-time member of the Riverside Rancheros where he was President from 1965-1966 and served many years on the Board of Directors. Chuck and Jo Ann enjoyed hosting the Riverside Rancheros’ Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon at their home in Riverside. Chuck made 51 De Anza Caballeros trail rides. He is one of only three Caballeros to make over 50 consecutive rides.
Chuck was an instrument-rated private pilot who had a deep love for aviation and volunteered his time flying his Cessna twin engine 340 for Liga International. He made a total of 95 medical missions trips transporting doctors, dentists and medical supplies to Guaymas, Mexico.
During his retirement years he kept busy with Blossom Center, Mission Grove Self Storage and traveled throughout the United States and many foreign countries with his wife Jo Ann. He was a family man and incredibly proud of his grandchildren. He could be heard on many occasions talking about his great grandchildren and the joy they brought to his life.
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Jo Ann (Johnson) Smith, his son Jimmy Smith and daughter -in- law Elizabeth Smith, his daughter Rhonda (Smith) Otto and son-in-law Lawrence Otto, five grandchildren Brooke Smith, Grant Otto, Ashley Smith, Neil Otto and Teryn (Otto) Lannon, two great grandchildren Grayson Otto and Raegan Lannon, his sister Glenna Yvonne (Smith) Moody and brother-in-law Dean Moody, “daughter” Audrey Wiberg and “son-in-law” Don Wiberg, two “grandsons,” Zachary and Austin Wiberg, and a very large extended family.
He is predeceased by his brother Walter L. Smith, his sister Lois Worthene (Smith) Newby and his beloved dog Sophie.
A funeral service will be held June 17, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Crest Lawn Mortuary, 11500 Arlington Avenue, Riverside, CA 92505.
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