Charles W Booker

Charlie Booker, 76, of Ventura, passed away Monday September 24, 2012. He had battled chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other cancers. He was born in Charleston, Arkansas on November 25, 1935 to Dixie and Gladys Booker and was the youngest of three children. He moved back and forth with his family between California and Arkansas and they finally settled in Ventura in 1946.

He graduated from Ventura High School in 1953 and joined the Air Force with three of his buddies. He was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, IL, Craig Air Force Base in Selma, AL, Goose Air Base at Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada, and Plattsburg Air Force Base in New York. In 1957 he was discharged and headed back to Ventura. He eventually went to work at Pt. Mugu where he worked for 32 years before retiring in 1990.

He married Delores Osburn in 1959 and they had two children, Michael Aaron and Sandra Marie. He was devastated when Delores was diagnosed with breast cancer, and he spent many years caring for her until she died in 1992. They had been married 33 years.

He became active in country western dancing where he met Margaret Carey who had also lost her spouse. The two eventually married in 1995 and they merged their two families. Charlie welcomed Margaret’s children as his own. He was thrilled when his first grandchild, Shelby Booker, came along. And as far as he was concerned, when Margaret’s grandchildren came along, they were his too. He was an awesome “Papa” and loved to spend time with his grandkids.

He was very active in his church, West Ventura County church of Christ, where he made friends for life. He was a volunteer with the Ventura Police Department as a Volunteer in Policing (VIP) and had numerous hobbies, including wood turning, gardening, and making many baby cradles for babies of friends and family. He was talented in whatever art he pursued. He and Margaret enjoyed traveling and took their travel trailer all over the United States, taking their rescued dog, Cheyenne, and then later, Katie.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Margaret. Also surviving are his children: Michael Booker (Patty) and Sandra Jones (Justin); Margaret’s children: Ron Carey (Joyce), Susanne Cooper (Keith), Patrick Carey (Jennifer), and John Carey (Tali); His grandchildren: Shelby, Jessica, Kristen, Andrew, Matthew, Cameron, Trent, Scott, Jack, and Henry; Great grandchildren, Anahlia and Avelina; His sister Jeanette O’Donnell, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins in California, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Delores, his sister, Genevieve, and his granddaughter Katherine Rae Cooper.

Charlie always had a smile for everyone and had a way of putting everyone at ease with his jokes and southern charm. People loved receiving his cookies and baked goods. We will miss him dearly.

The family would like to thank his many doctors and nurses, especially Dr Reaves, Dr. Slater, Dr. Warwar, Dr. Wilkenson, Dr. Thacher, Dr. Wesbury, Dr. Burn, Dr. Hara, and Dr. Golden and numerous other medical staff and CMH and VCMC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Charlie Booker to Humane Society of Ventura County at 402 Bryant, Ojai CA or to Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, 6033 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Services will be held on Saturday, October 6th, 2pm at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura.