Charles "Chuck" Sehlke, Sr.

Charles Jerome Sehlke (Chuck) entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 18, after a courageous battle with cancer. Chuck was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 14, 1936, to Betty Britton and Jerome Carl Sehlke. He grew up in Chicago, moved to Denver for his last few years of high school, and attended Colorado A&M University (now Colorado State) in 1954 on a football scholarship. Chuck graduated from Colorado A&M and joined the Marine Corps in 1958. He served in the Marine Corps for 10 years as a fighter pilot flying the F4 Skyray and the F8 Crusader. Chuck’s military service was sandwiched between the Korean and Vietnam war, flying missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Chuck met the love of his life, Marion Davis while training at Chase Field in Beeville, Texas. They married in 1961 and traversed the country during his Marine Corp career. All three of Chuck and Marion’s children – Cheryl Lynn, Charles Jerome, Jr, and Bryon Davis were born during his military career. Chuck left the Marine Corp to become a commercial pilot for United Airlines in 1968, and the family moved back to Chuck’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois. After spending several years in Chicago, Chuck and Marion longed for the country life and bought property in the farm country of north-central Illinois where they built their “forever home.” They stayed seven years before they decided to move closer to Marion’s family in South Texas. They moved to George West in 1979 where they lived out the rest of their years. Marion preceded Chuck in death on June 10, 2020.

Chuck loved the outdoors and quickly abandoned his big-city upbringing. When he wasn’t flying, Chuck would spend his days hunting, fishing, working in his yard, and tending to his ever-expanding gardens. Many of these days were spent with Chuck’s two sons, who both came to love gardening and yard work LATER in life. A memorable event was an annual pheasant hunting trip to Kansas which included a 13-hour drive with his two sons, a mini-reunion with several of his Marine Corps buddies, and several days of hunting with his two boys and his son-in-law, Mike Mullikin. Despite his coarse exterior, Chuck had a gentleness with and fondness for the women in his life. He and Marion were inseparable, and Chuck cared for Marion while she struggled with her health in the last years of her life. The apple of his eye was his daughter, Cheryl, and he enjoyed spoiling his two daughters-in-law, Pam Riggs Sehlke and Rena McGaughy Sehlke.

Chuck and Marion were blessed with many grandchildren - Joe, John, Carrie, Luke, Davis, Ben and Tom as well as those that have been brought into the family through marriage – Michael Ann, Laura, Katheryn, Keith and Calen. Chuck’s only use of technology was to facetime with his great-grandchildren – Jane, Ruthie, Lily, June, Cash and Ellis. Chuck was fortunate to have lived long enough to welcome his newest great-granddaughter, Marion Jean. Chuck is also survived by his sister, Donna and his brother, Butch.

Chuck cherished family vacations. Bi-annual trips to Texas from Illinois were replaced by summer trips to Concan, Hilton Head Island, and Crested Butte. Marion and Chuck developed a love of sailing and grew very fond of the British Virgin Islands. They spent many days sailing with Marion’s sister, Gina Davis Schneider and her husband Bob. When Chuck retired, trips to the British Virgin Islands included their kids and spouses. The last several trips were the best and included all the grandchildren.

Chuck gave back to the George West community later in life. He was a fixture at the Lions Club, volunteering at events, serving as an officer, and winning “Lion of the Year” multiple times. He served on the vestry and as treasurer for Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, December 15, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd Hall in George West.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 16, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd with the Reverend Kelly S. Conkling officiating. Seating in the sanctuary is limited. Additional seating along with a live stream will be available in the parish hall. The service will be live-streamed on the internet by Galloway & Sons Funeral Home and available for viewing later on this page.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation: (https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/PFFTribute/MarionChuckSehlke) or the charity of your choice.