Charles J. Lerette
July 15, 1923 — December 23, 2009
Charles Junior LeRette was born on July 15, 1923 to Charles W. and Ida (Felker) LeRette in Hancock, Iowa. As a child, he attended the Hancock Methodist Church. He attended country school in Hancock and the Oakland and Carson High Schools, graduating with the Class of 1939 from Carson.
Charles enlisted in the United States Navy in June of 1943 and completed basic training at the Idaho Naval Training Center in Farragut, Idaho. He completed Naval Instructors School in Bainbridge, Maryland before being stationed in Pensacola at the Naval Air Station. He worked in the Athletic Department and played on the base basketball team setting a record of 31 wins and 5 losses. They were ranked as one of the better teams in the country. He became a company commander while in Camp Wallace, Texas, and was also stationed in Sampson, New York and Camp Peary, Virginia, before his discharge as a Chief Specialist (A) in May of 1946.
After his discharge, he continued his education at William Penn University and was awarded his Bachelor�s Degree in 1947. In 1997, he was inducted into the William Penn Hall of Fame for sports. He received his Master�s Degree from Colorado State College of Education.
On August 12, 1949, Charles was united in marriage to Idalou Kisor at the Methodist Church in Raton, New Mexico. Two daughters were born to this union: Susan and Patricia.
Charles spent thirty-eight years in the education field between Iowa and Illinois. He touched so many lives as a teacher and as a coach, but his most important job was as a husband, father, and grandfather. His family was his world.
Charles died on Wednesday, December 23, 2009, having attained the age of eighty-six years, five months, and eight days. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: Ernest, Clarence, Lester, Herbert, and Robert; and his sister Florence.
He is survived by his wife of sixty years Idalou LeRette of Asbury, Iowa; his daughters Susan and her husband Stephen Gunther of Magnolia, Texas and Patricia and her husband Dale Metcalf of Dubuque, Iowa; four grandchildren: Tiffany, Brent, Erik, and Robert; and sister Irene Loughlin of Chicago, Illinois, nieces and nephews, other family members, and many friends.
Pastor Melissa Drake officiated the 11:00 AM funeral service at the Hancock Methodist Church in Hancock, Iowa.
PDF Printable Version
Charles enlisted in the United States Navy in June of 1943 and completed basic training at the Idaho Naval Training Center in Farragut, Idaho. He completed Naval Instructors School in Bainbridge, Maryland before being stationed in Pensacola at the Naval Air Station. He worked in the Athletic Department and played on the base basketball team setting a record of 31 wins and 5 losses. They were ranked as one of the better teams in the country. He became a company commander while in Camp Wallace, Texas, and was also stationed in Sampson, New York and Camp Peary, Virginia, before his discharge as a Chief Specialist (A) in May of 1946.
After his discharge, he continued his education at William Penn University and was awarded his Bachelor�s Degree in 1947. In 1997, he was inducted into the William Penn Hall of Fame for sports. He received his Master�s Degree from Colorado State College of Education.
On August 12, 1949, Charles was united in marriage to Idalou Kisor at the Methodist Church in Raton, New Mexico. Two daughters were born to this union: Susan and Patricia.
Charles spent thirty-eight years in the education field between Iowa and Illinois. He touched so many lives as a teacher and as a coach, but his most important job was as a husband, father, and grandfather. His family was his world.
Charles died on Wednesday, December 23, 2009, having attained the age of eighty-six years, five months, and eight days. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: Ernest, Clarence, Lester, Herbert, and Robert; and his sister Florence.
He is survived by his wife of sixty years Idalou LeRette of Asbury, Iowa; his daughters Susan and her husband Stephen Gunther of Magnolia, Texas and Patricia and her husband Dale Metcalf of Dubuque, Iowa; four grandchildren: Tiffany, Brent, Erik, and Robert; and sister Irene Loughlin of Chicago, Illinois, nieces and nephews, other family members, and many friends.
Pastor Melissa Drake officiated the 11:00 AM funeral service at the Hancock Methodist Church in Hancock, Iowa.
PDF Printable Version
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles J. Lerette, please visit our flower store.