Charlie Emmons, 98, a former Baker City resident, died Aug. 25, 2005, at the McAllen Medical Center in McAllen, Texas.
His family was planning a special memory 99th birthday party for Charlie on Sept. 9, and he was really looking forward to it. The family will play a video of his life at his memorial service and hope he will be pleased.
Charlie was born on Sept. 9, 1906, at Greenville, Texas. He married Erma McCormick in 1926, and they were married for 70 years. When they married she was 16 and he was 19. Erma was the love of Charlie’s life.
Charlie worked at Dentlers Potato Chip Co. for 42 years. He also worked in the insurance business. At the age of 70 he learned a new profession and became a machinist. Charlie could build or fix anything.
After Charlie retired, he and Erma intended to travel, but after three years Erma lost her vision. Even with her blindness, Erma continued with her quilting passion. Charlie was her faithful companion and he threaded all her needles and helped her in every way. Charlie spent the next 25 years taking care of Erma and spending time with their family.
Charlie and Erma had a travel trailer and they saw most of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Fifteen family members flew to Hawaii to honor “Nanny and Papaw,” as they were affectionately known, and to help them celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary.
Erma and Charlie were the backbone of their family. They were the best support team any family could ever have. They were always there to help their children and grandchildren, and they were blessed to even have great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Nanny and Papaw were always known to be “long on love” for their family, and their love was unconditional.
“As a family, we have an empty space that can never be filled, but we feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful man in our lives. He will be missed every day. We will always love and miss you, Papaw. Thanks for the memories,” his family members said.
Survivors include a sister, Azelle Turner; a daughter and her husband, Joyce and Paul Johnson of Mission, Texas; a daughter, Betty Green of Baker City; grandchildren, Loyd Henson and his wife, Faith, of Scottsdale, Ariz., who gave him three great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; grandson, Jim Henson of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and three children and one great-grandchild; a granddaughter, Rocky Morris and her husband, Larry, of Baker City, who gave him three great-grandchildren, Dan and his wife, Amy, Jeff and his wife, Jodi, and Lori and her husband, Tim Halsey, and eight great-grandchildren: Anthony, Missy, Kayla, Kade, Jake, Justin, Drew and Morgan; Steve Jones and his wife, Marilyn, of Baker City, who added five great-grandchildren: Dyana, Michael, Leandra, Anna and Mika, and two great-great-grandchildren, Nathan and Audrey.
Charlie was preceded in death by his loving wife, Erma; sons-in-law, Loyd Henson and Clancy Green; great-granddaughter, Rachyl; and by his parents, siblings and many friends.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, September 9, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor