Earl Charlesworth

Earl Melvin Charlesworth

September 8, 1923 ~ May 23, 2014

Earl Melvin Charlesworth, left us Friday morning May 23, 2014. Earl was born in Ogden, Utah Sept 8, 1923. An Ogden resident all of his life, Earl lived a life many of us dream of but few attempt. In his 90 wonderful years on this earth the son of Melvin Sampson Charlesworth and Arvila Rozena Odermatt helped his family on their farm as a young child. After he quit school in the 8 ^th grade he went to live under the stars as a cowboy fixing fences and wrangling cattle in southern Idaho. During his forays back home in Ogden he fell in love with his childhood sweetheart Norma Lucille Barker, whom he was sealed to on December 4 ^th , 1942 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Though preceding him in death in 2002 he loved her until his dying breath.

In 1943 he was called to serve his country in WWII. After sailing across the Atlantic into the Mediterranean Sea, he dove from his burning transport ship and swam 2 miles to the north coast of Africa. After sailing through the Suez Canal he served in the hills, mountains, and jungles of India, Burma, and China. After the war he sailed home across the Pacific finishing his circumnavigation of the globe.

Earl was a Journeyman pipefitter and welder, serving as a contractor for many years before working at Weber State University where he later retired as head of the plumbing and mechanical departments. While there he pursued his enthusiasm of sideband radio and was president of his club. A lifelong member of the NRA, he was an avid sportsman who loved hunting and fishing, and even owned his own gun shop.

Despite all of these wonderful feats and accomplishments he was first and foremost a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. Who always made time to help his family, whether it was helping to build a house, fix a car, or make a wooden sword for his grandkids. He was a brilliant man of both illuminating spirit and mind, whose charisma and wit could lighten any room and solve any problem.

Earl was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was currently a member of the Jackson Ward and Ogden East Stake. He loved being involved in scouting for many years.

Earl is survived by his children; Terry (Betty); Rodney (Alma); Karen (Hank Lubean); Patsy; Hal (Michele); Jan (Dean Hale); And Kathy (Richard Holder); 34 grand children and 67 great grand children. Also surviving are his brothers Rick, and Elgin and his sisters Mae (Clemens), Beth, Ione (Ross), and in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents in law, his brothers Ray, Ben, and Melvin, and his Beloved wife Norma.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 29, at11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Wednesday, May 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.