Charlie's "Memorial Service" was yesterday in Boise. I had to do a lot of re-arranging, but I was able to make it. Devin and I left late Wednesday night, hitching a ride with my Uncle Lynn, who lives in Orem. Lynn was in charge of the life-sketch, so as we drove, we spewed out memory after memory of Charlie, quirks, habits, goals, mottos, etc. I think Devin felt a little bit left out since he had only met Charlie twice, but he learned a alot about him. We got to Boise around 3 am. We were up by 7 the next morning, even though the funeral was not till 11, thanks to my sister Jennifer. She had no problem getting us on up and out the door.
The actual service was held at the funeral home, which was not nearly big enough for all the people that were there. I didn't doubt that Charlie had influenced many people's lives, but I was surprised by all the support there. The service was really nice. It was not like any funeral I have been to, since the LDS aspect was completely missing, but it was still so nice and it really reflected who Charlie was as an individual. My sister played "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton (one of Charlie's favorite songs) on the piano and that was a highlight, along with the movie montage of pictures and video clips that my cousin Che' had put together of Charlie's life. I was pretty well composed up until that point, but watching that video just touched me. Two other people spoke besides my Uncle Lynn, one was one of Charlie's biker buddies, and the other was the former Idaho State Governor (currently serving as Lieutenant Governor) Jim Risch. Two completely different spectrums, but both spoke adaqueatly of Charlie's massive influence. Both mentioned that Charlie had a nickname in the Legislature, the "BTO" or "Big Time Operator" because everyone, from pages on up to the governor commonly sought Charlie's advice and counsel. It was interesting to hear different aspects of Charlie's life that I knew little about. I just knew him as my uncle, but he was so much to many people.
The other great thing was that my mom and all her siblings were together for the first time in 13 years. It is pretty sad that it takes something as tragic as this to bring a family together, but its true.
The actual service was held at the funeral home, which was not nearly big enough for all the people that were there. I didn't doubt that Charlie had influenced many people's lives, but I was surprised by all the support there. The service was really nice. It was not like any funeral I have been to, since the LDS aspect was completely missing, but it was still so nice and it really reflected who Charlie was as an individual. My sister played "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton (one of Charlie's favorite songs) on the piano and that was a highlight, along with the movie montage of pictures and video clips that my cousin Che' had put together of Charlie's life. I was pretty well composed up until that point, but watching that video just touched me. Two other people spoke besides my Uncle Lynn, one was one of Charlie's biker buddies, and the other was the former Idaho State Governor (currently serving as Lieutenant Governor) Jim Risch. Two completely different spectrums, but both spoke adaqueatly of Charlie's massive influence. Both mentioned that Charlie had a nickname in the Legislature, the "BTO" or "Big Time Operator" because everyone, from pages on up to the governor commonly sought Charlie's advice and counsel. It was interesting to hear different aspects of Charlie's life that I knew little about. I just knew him as my uncle, but he was so much to many people.
The other great thing was that my mom and all her siblings were together for the first time in 13 years. It is pretty sad that it takes something as tragic as this to bring a family together, but its true.
Craig, Steve, David, Linda, Sue (holding Charlie's picture with his beloved dog, Rags), my mom Lisa, Lynn in back, MariAnn
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