Charles Wray Upshaw was born October 21, 1925, in Belle Plaine, Kansas, to Frank L. Upshaw and Thelma F. Shields Upshaw. The family farmed in the Sumner County area. After his parents divorced, Charles (Charlie) made his way to California and began working to earn his own room and board.
Charles joined the Merchant Marines and then enlisted in the Navy when he was of age. He served as a fireman in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, during WWII. After the war, he drove semi-trucks in New Mexico where he met Jon Etta Downing in Magdalena. They were married on June 15, 1950. When the Korean War started, Charles was called up to serve as a painter on Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands. He served in the Navy for 10 years, 4 months and 21 days.
After the Korean War, the couple moved to Wichita where Charles had several jobs before beginning work at H & H Wholesale (Western Wire). He worked there for over 35 years, serving as the local manager during the years before retirement.
Charles was a trustee at Trinity United Methodist Church. When that church closed, he became an active member of Westside UMC and served on many committees.
Charles and Jon Etta were married for 73 years and raised three daughters – Gail, Sandra, and Aileen. The family believes he was a talented man, a Jack-of-all-trades. He could do it all from carpentry to plumbing, gardening, painting, car and household maintenance. In addition, he seemed to have a unique talent for figuring out how to solve problems.
Charles was sometimes ornery, loving to joke around with a twinkle in his eye. Sometimes he seemed stubborn, but that was because of his deep principles. He was hard-working, often working a second job to support his family. There are memories of his love of camping, fishing, and hunting with his neighbor all of which combined with his love of the outdoors. Gardening was another passion, which he shared with his grandsons by planting his potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day with them. He was a devoted husband and father. His daughters remember the support he gave them in their school and extracurricular activities. They loved having him play outdoor and board games with them.
He was a remarkable man and will be missed by all who loved him.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Aileen Joyce Upshaw; and sister Doneta Deen Leach. Survivors include his wife Jon Etta Downing Upshaw; daughters Loretta Gail Rombeck (Mike) and Sandra Jane Upshaw; grandsons Terry Rombeck (Jana) and David Rombeck (Laura Herron); and two great-grandchildren Nolan and Carly Rombeck.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Westside United Methodist Church
1313 W. Lydia St.
Wichita, KS 67213
Shriners Hospital for Children
P.O. Box 1525
Ronson, WV 25438
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillsideFuneralHomeWest.com for the Upshaw family.
