Charles William Yorkey Jr.

Charles William Yorkey, Jr.
September 25, 1936 – November 3, 2019

Chuck Yorkey died on Sunday November 3, 2019, surrounded by his family. He was born on September 25, 1936 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the son of Charles William Yorkey Sr. and Estella T. Yorkey. He is survived by his mother Emma, wife, Mikiko, sisters, Nancy (Jim), Stella and Shirley (Butch), sons Michael, James (Merllene), and John, daughter Carol (Tony) as well as grandchildren Andy, Kyli, Carter, Jana and Michael, and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his siblings Dorothy, Howard, Joseph, Vinnie, Arlene and John.

Chuck enlisted in the United States Army on April 1, 1954. He proudly served his country on active duty until his transfer to the active reserves in February of 1974 holding the rank of Staff Sergeant. As an active duty soldier, Chuck earned 6 service stripes, the Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and an Army Commendation Medal.

He was first stationed in Okinawa where he met and fell in love with Mikiko Arakaki. They married on March 25, 1957, and entered a lifelong partnership of 62 years. After being stationed in Massachusetts, Germany, New Jersey, Hawaii, Colorado, and Thailand, Chuck and Miki put down permanent roots with his last assignment at Fitzsimons Army Medical Base in Aurora, Colorado.

At home in Aurora, Chuck accepted the position of Athletic Director for Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in 1974. Simultaneously, he enrolled in night school and earned his business degree from Columbia College in Denver. At Fitzsimons, Chuck dedicated his professional livelihood to the creation, oversight and growth of a robust athletic and activities program that benefited the lives of countless service members and their families for the next 20 years. In his spare time, no matter the season, he could be found anywhere and everywhere in that state officiating football, basketball, softball and baseball. Chuck retired in 1994. He was a patriot through and through. He believed in devotion to Country and demonstrated that in his service to the Army on active duty and then as a civil servant.

As a person, Chuck never met a stranger. He had an infectious smile that led the way for his warm handshake. He was quick to strike up a conversation and make even a wary stranger feel like he'd known Chuck for a lifetime. He would be the first in line to help another with anything and everything including giving the shirt off his back. His true passion, however, was his family. He was a devoted husband who loved his wife with every inch of his soul. He raised 4 successful children from a household that was filled with high expectations, fair and firm discipline, laughter, love and warmth.

Most importantly, Chuck was a good man. A man who could be counted on, a man whose word was his bond. His mark on this world is etched in the lives he has positively impacted, etched in the lives of his wife, sons, daughter and grandchildren. His mark on the world is one that has made anyone fortunate enough to have known him all the better. He has left this world better than he found it. His memory lives in ours.

Chuck is in heaven now. He's hunting and fishing. He's behind 'the dish' on some 'field of dreams' calling balls and strikes. He's watching games and grumbling about the official's last call. He's on the water, swapping stories with his buddies over a hot cup of coffee, some fried Spam and steamed rice, waiting for a strike. He's sitting in God's shadow, watching over his family, quietly content with what he was able to accomplish in his 83 years of life. And, he's keeping Miki's place by his side in heaven warm and comfortable.

In lieu of flowers, the Yorkey family suggests gifts to WildCare (https://www.discoverwildcare.org) in Chuck's memory, using the link below:
www.discoverwildcare.org/charlesyorkey

To share a memory or leave a condolence message for Chuck's family, please visit the guestbook below.