Birth date: Nov 21, 1944 Death date: Apr 11, 2019
“It’s another beautiful day in paradise!!” A favorite declaration of Charles Thomas Shackelton Jr. (Chuck). Indeed, it was a beautiful day when Chuck, age 74, peacefully returned to his Heavenly home on April 11, 2019. Chuck was Read Obituary
Charles was an autodidact person who was well-served by his wisdom. A dedicated family and religious man that God needed for reasons unknown to us. That does not ease the pain of his passing as we loved him so much. Hugs and Kisses to the family. Eugene and Helene
I only had the privilege of knowing and having Chuck as a friend for about a year and a half, but I’m a better person because of our friendship. As I read through what has already been written on here, I agree completely with all that has been said. I too, have experienced those kinds of things with him. He was a wonderful example, mentor, and friend to me.
As we worked together in our church assignments, he was so patient as he carefully listened to my frustrations and concerns. After I had the chance to say what was on my mind, he would give me wonderful counsel and advice that not only applied to the situation of concern to me, but counsel that I could use in my life in general. In addition, he would make me feel good about my efforts and he recognized gifts and talents in me that I hadn’t yet identified. Then he worked to help me develop those things.
Chuck was someone that not only talked the talk, but walked the walk. From my view, he was unfailingly kind to those around him and went out of his way to help and lift people. He told me once, “put people first”. He was a perfect example of that.
As I watched his health decline, I saw the courage and determination with which he faced his imminent death. I never once heard him say, “why me”. He was still trying to lift those around him even at the end. When he started dying, I thought my time to learn from him was over, but he still taught me by his actions right up till the end.
Because Chuck worked so hard to be like his Savior and tried to hear those things that the Savior wanted him to say and do, he touched so many lives. I will always be grateful I had the chance to know him and learn from him. I will miss him terribly!
Julie Brann
Growing up in a close Italian family, I was and still am close to my cousins. Naturally when one of them gets married you become close to the spouse, especially when he is the adorable Chuck and he marries your favorite cousin. You may no longer be my "cousin", but you are someone who was and still is very special to me. Noone has ever called me "Sunshine" like you did. God speed, Chuck. Love you!!
I remember when I started at the ward in Clearwater. Chuck was one of the first people to greet me. I had so many questions and Chuck was always glad and eager to help me with the answers. He was always encouraging me to get closer to the Savior and go to the temple. Chuck would lift me up when I would feel like I was unworthy. He would say "you're doing good Morgan, just keep doing what you're doing" you're doing fine. One time he gave me a book to read "Visions of Glory". When I finished it (only 2 days), we talked about it. I could hear the excitement. He asked what I thought and then started pointing things out and we would discuss them. I could always feel and see the love he had for the Savior. I remember going to the temple with him and Vicky. Chuck asked me help in one of the endowment session so I could experience a part I may not have been able to being a single person. I will miss him terribly even though I only knew him for a short time. Chuck's gladful loving and grateful heart, the way he treated everyone, showed me what the Gospel is all about. I am so grateful to have met him and be able to be friends with him. He was the only one besides my mom that could make me feel like I was a worthy person. I will miss him terribly. Because of his friendship and kind and caring nature, I saw what becoming as Christ looks like. Because of his ministering to me I know that I will get to see him again. I think if I was a good enough writer, I could write a novel to explain all that he did for me. The love he had for his fellow man and for Vicky was so evident. He radiated the love of the Savior and walked with the light of Christ shining through in everything he did or said. His example helped me to see what following Jesus Christ looked like. He was and is still ministering to me through all he did. When I had gone to visit him, I asked him if he would find my mom and minister to her because I wanted to to be sure that she accepted all I was doing for her in the temple. He got a paper and said, "what is her name". I feel better knowing that he will minister to her as he did me. Because of Chuck, I am staying on the straight and narrow. I was blessed to have known him and will be forever grateful for all he taught me. Until we meet again my friend.
Chuck was a rare and special friend. We came to know one another as we served our fellow saints in our ward together, and a strong and loving friendship blossomed as a result.
I can't count the number of visits, blessings, classes, meetings, and ordinances we took part in together over the last 9 years.
We enjoyed studying many gospel books together, each one bringing further light and knowledge to us as we traveled life's road.
We basked in our shared knowledge of the truth, and worked together in the spirit of love and service; participants in the exercise of our Priesthood with a common purpose: to bring others into the loving, healing, and wonderful ways of the gospel we knew and loved.
No one knows how spiritually exhilarating our discussions could get if we had just a few minutes to spend talking about gospel principles together!
I think the longest and the most memorable period of all our association was serving together in the High Priest Group Leadership. Brother Ron Chapman and I were his assistants and Brad Owen and John Ellis were the secretaries for a time.
The group of us had many spiritual Wednesday evening leadership meetings. We hated to have to end them. It was grand, educational, exalting and we all grew in our love of the work of the gospel and each other greatly.
I look back now and realize all the good work Chuck and the High Priests accomplished in our ward during that time. We had dinners, Firesides, Temple Trips, and picnics. We took turns teaching Sunday Priesthood lessons, and helped in setting up and cleaning up after ward parties.
Chuck had a special gift all recognized in his ability to convey the intent of The Spirit when giving a blessing. Consequently, he was asked to give many. Being invited to assist in one of his blessings was not something to be missed; and the recipients were typically left glowing and in tears of relief, gratitude, love and joy.
I knew Chuck as a true servant of Our Lord and Savior, a righteous, faithful and loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Friend and Priesthood Holder.
I know no one is perfect, but I have no doubt you have finished your mortal probation clean and forgiven and therefore worthy of being told "Well done thou good and faithful servant."
I Love and miss ya Chuck! Thanks for being my Friend!
David Salyer
4/14/19
I will always and forever remember, and miss that smile. Chuck sure knew how to make a person feel like they were special. There was always a compliment regardless of the occasion. I was truly touched by how tenderly he cared for Vicky. You could just see the magnitude of his love for her in his actions. They don't make them like him anymore. The Holy Spirit followed him where ever he went, and you could feel it when you were around him. The sun is shining more brightly in heaven now. This angel will surely be missed here on earth. My love and prayers to his family and especially Vicky.
I cant quite believe his smiling face is gone from this earthly existence. Im going to miss him so much, especially his laugh. I looked forward to making his favorite treat every year for his birthday too. He was always so grateful. I teased him and called him "The General" because he had a commanding voice,but actually he had such a gentle nature.
I marveled at the way he took care of Vicky and his stamina for life.He sure did help many many people over and over with a smile and was grateful for all his blessings. I cant think of anyone who wasn't better off in some way for having known him. That's how I measure a successful life, that's the question I always ask myself... have I helped anyone? Is anyone better off for having known me? Chuck had a very successful life.
I know he had a dream of hitting the road in an RV someday....maybe he'll be able do that beyond the veil. I hope all our hearts eventually heal, especially his family. This is not something we'll get over, but something we'll get through.We'll get through together with the love of Christ. Its one of those milestones...the life changing kind.
We remember Chuck Shackelton as such a caring person. He was always interested in the individual. And he would follow up with any problems; always willing to help in any way he could. He was such a great person and we have many good memories of him. He was always smiling, through the good times and the bad times. We will miss him!!
The Arbogast family
