Jesse Charles

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Jesse Lewis Charles, age 82 of Riverton, passed away at Quaker Hill Skilled Nursing Facility at 2:50 PM on Sunday, September 10, 2017.

Jesse was born in Kiowa, KS on September 14, 1934 to the union of Lewis Lee Charles and Edith Lenora (Coberly) Charles. He graduated from Galena High School in May of 1952, and quickly enlisted in the US Air Force in July of 1952. During his time in the military, he served his country overseas in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1956. Two weeks later, he began working for Kansas State Telephone Company where he worked for 27 years, and eventually earned the title of Vice President and General Manager. He later worked for MoKan Dial in Louisburg, KS for about 12 years as an Equipment Supervisor.

He joined the Church of God of Prophecy in Columbus, KS (now, Victory Church of God) in 1956 and had been a faithful member. He was active at youth camps, and also taught Sunday School at the church. He was a member of the Lions Club, and also served as President of the Baxter Springs Chamber of Commerce in the mid 1980’s. He also served under Sheriff Goff as a Volunteer Policeman, working fairs, rodeos, and other special events in Cherokee County. He enjoyed watching wrestling on TV, and attending his kid’s and grandkid’s school events. Throughout all of his life, music played a pivotal role. As a young man, he played guitar with his friends on KFSB Radio, broadcasting from the Gryphon Building on Main Street in Joplin, MO. The family would sing specials at church that were rehearsed on their family car rides, and sing-alongs were required at all of the family functions. He was skilled in playing Steel Guitar, Flat Top Guitar, Piano, Banjo, Mandolin, and Dobro. Later in life, music still held a special place in his heart, and he would sit in his recliner and watch his Southern Gospel DVDs for hours.

Jesse married Lois Louise Goff at his family’s home on August 1, 1954 and they celebrated a life of over 63 years together. She survives.

Additional survivors include his four children, Karen Herrington (husband, John) of Olathe, KS, Kenny Charles (wife, Nancy) of Pittsburg, KS, Kathy Allen of Riverton, and Kelvin Charles (wife, Penny) of Kansas City, Kansas; one sister, Irene McCool of Galena; six grandchildren, Angie Loughmiller (husband, Ryan), Patrick Talbott (wife, Jenny), Leslee Troutman (husband, Eric), Tessa Bunyan (husband, Josh), Amiee Bachman (husband, Alex), and Jeff Charles (wife, Ashlee); and eleven great-grandchildren with one more on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Edith; four brothers, John Charles, Bill Charles, Jim Charles, and Rick Charles; one infant sister, Leatha Maxine Charles; and one grandson, Johnny Herrington.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena. Pastor Randy Arnold will officiate. Pallbearers will be his grandsons and grandson-in-laws. Burial will follow at Lowell Cemetery, rural Baxter Springs.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 from 6-8:00 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Victory Church of God of Columbus in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.