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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Fender, Charles D. “Charlie”

Age 74

FENDER, Charles D. “Charlie” (Age 74) Passed away on Friday, November 9, 2012 at Skagit Valley Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Charlie was born on April 22, 1938 in Hoxie, Arkansas, the son of Charles & Notra (Long) Fender.

He grew up in Duncanville, Texas, graduating from Duncanville High School with the class of 1956.

He enlisted into the U.S. Air Force and while stationed at Fairchild, AFB, he met Carol Skeel.

They were married in April 1961.

Charlie worked for the Firestone Tire Company and retired in the early 1990’s.

As the manager of the Firestone store on North Division he made many friends among employees and customers.

He will be fondly remembered by the many youth whose lives he touched while he and Carol lead the junior high group at Driscoll Blvd Baptist Church.

They were also huge supporters of the Renaissance Drum and Bugle Corp; helping to raise funds and touring with the Corps for competitions.

Charlie had a great passion for stamp and coin collecting.

He also enjoyed researching his family genealogy and made several friends while searching his family history.

His was proud of his refinished 1951 Crown Victoria.

He loved making his famous peanut butter fudge and pound cake and sharing it with others.

Charlie enjoyed traveling and his children have many fond memories of their summer vacations they spent both traveling the US and Canada.

Charlie was very computer savvy, building and maintaining web pages, working on computers and teaching computer classes.

He also enjoyed a good old western movie and being around his friends and family.

He loved his children and grandchildren and was devoted to all of them.

Everyone says he was still a kid at heart.

He will be remembered for giving a slug, a hug, and a helping hand to those around him.

He married Mary Ann Vanderschel on December 5, 1992.

They traveled the country extensively in their motor home, spending winters in Arizona and summers in Mount Vernon…making new friends along the way.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, in Mount Vernon; his children, Julie Shepard-Hall (Kevin), David Fender (Susan) and Michael Fender all of Spokane, WA; his step-children, Jowana Hickman (Bill) of Mount Vernon, WA, Doug Scribner (Cheryl) of Spokane, WA and Kathy Gilmore-Klier (John) of Mill Creek, WA; his beloved grandchildren, Erica, Shane, Jacob, Megan, Ashley, Ryan, Cody, Allie & Karlie; great-grandchildren, Taija, Chelsea, Tenlee, Wyatt & Chloe; his brother, Daniel Fender (Geneva); a sister-in-law, Nelda Fender-Hunt, several nieces, nephews and cousins and his loyal companion, Taffy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Rodney Fender.

Per his request there will be no services.

The family request that memorials be made to the Mount Vernon YMCA in memory of Charlie.

We know that everyone who knew Charlie has a memorable story to tell.

Please share your memories of Charlie by signing the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com