A Tribute to Charlie

I hope you had a week of realizing your importance to those around you!

Have you ever thought about what people would say at your memorial service? What impact will you have had and what will you be remembered for when you’re gone? 

This past weekend we went to a memorial service for our dear friend of 27 years, Charlie Whitaker. He was our friend, a husband, father, and grandfather who lost his seven year battle with cancer. Over his 77 years of life, he did make an impact on the lives of everyone he met. 

During the service there was a time for family and friends to share their thoughts. It was very touching to hear, through their tears, what his grandson’s remembered about him from always being there to support whatever they were doing, to teaching them about life, to how much they will miss him. Each one of his three children shared memories of always learning from their dad, how he enjoyed teasing especially their mother, and how he was always there to support them whatever they were doing through good times and tough times. Their love and pride of their father was evident in each of their shared memories.

For us, Charlie and his wife Judy were the ones who took these neophytes under their experienced “wings” to help us learn about raising pigs and lambs as our kids got involved with 4H. Charlie was the one who brought us a treadmill for the lambs to help make their back legs stronger, he was the one that helped us pick out the animals in the spring, and he was the one who was cheering our kids on when they were showing their animals.

Charlie’s love of the Colorado Buffs and especially Buffs4Life was unparalleled. He was the consummate volunteer helping with security at football practices, giving tours of the facility, checking that students were attending class, taking registrations at various events, flying to most away games and tailgating at the ones at home. Darian Hagan, a former CU athlete and now CU coach, through his tears, shared how much Charlie believed in him, how much he told him time and time again how much he was proud of him, and how he cared about the athletes. The athletes knew Charlie was always there to support them and give them words of wisdom.

Despite Charlie’s struggle these past couple years with chemo that took a definite toll on his body and his energy level, it never took his brain. He may have been in pain, but Charlie’s positive mental attitude and desire to live each day to its fullest, I believe, added more months to his life. Earlier this summer, Jon and I watched this luxury gator speeding up our driveway only to realize it was Charlie behind the wheel. He was excited to have a new toy with all the bells and whistles. He planned on using it to spray all the weeds around his property. He was going to drive while Judy sat on the back and sprayed. Another smile comes to my face just picturing that happening.

Charlie was all about helping others and being there to support the hard work and dreams of his grandchildren and other young people. Our son benefitted from Charlies’ love of the Buffs when Jason was a player and then later in the position of coach. They would debrief the games and talk strategy. Those football conversations continued these past three years when Jason became head coach of Missouri Baptist University. Charlie loved following him, loved debriefing Jason’s games, and encouraged him to continue doing what he loved most and was passionate about…coaching the football student athlete at MBU. 

What we will all remember about this special man is his love of family, friends, and Buff Nation. The sadness is natural because of the impact Charlie had in everyone’s life. The memories bring laughter, stories, smiles, stories, admiration, and more stories. You always knew what Charlie was thinking, and you always knew of his love of life.

Thank you for letting me share these thoughts. It has been a time to reflect on what impact I have made on the people in my life. We are all on this earth to make a difference. Charlie made a difference. He had a huge circle of influence. What is my circle of influence? What is your circle of influence?

I wish you a week of reflection about what people would say about you right now in your life? What do you want people to say about you at the end of your life?