Hubert Charles (Chuck) Kelsey

Hubert Charles (Chuck) Kelsey passed away peacefully at his home after a brief illness on August 28th.

Chuck was born on July 23, 1942, in Odessa, Texas, to Bud and Pauline Kelsey. The Kelsey family moved from Texas to California in the late 1940’s where they landed in the Santa Barbara area before settling in Summerland. Chuck spent much of his youth roaming the hills and beaches of Summerland with the local kids, sharing many of his adventurous stories with his own kids years later. Bud and Pauline moved to Carpinteria when Chuck was in high school, where he was the captain of the football team, wrestled, ran track, and was the ASB President.

After graduating from Carpinteria high School in 1960, he attended Ventura College for two years before going to work for General Telephone. In 1962, Chuck married Marie Jose (Suzy) Palama, the love of his life, and they started their family with the birth of their first son, Chris. A new career took Chuck and Suzy to the Bay area where Chuck went to work for Firemans Fund as a safety engineer. Their next three children, Mike, Candi, and Stacy were born while they lived by the Bay. Chuck loved flying and an opportunity to fly for a living came up, so the Aeronautical as a student recruiter. He flew his Cessna Bonanza all over the Midwest recruiting students to train as aviation mechanics at Cannon.

With a family of young kids, Chuck and Suzy decided that grandkids needed to grow up with grandparents, so they loaded up the VW van and moving truck and headed back to Carpinteria. This is where they would be near Bud and Pauline, and Suzy’s mom and stepdad, Helen and Stan Buller. Chuck and Suzy would see each of their four kids attend the Carpinteria schools and graduate from Carpinteria High School.

Chuck loved inspirational quotes and mottos, and he lived his favorite one, “Be a participant and not a spectator”. He passed this on to his own kids, encouraging them to participate in sports from when they were young to when they were in high school. He also positively influenced the lives of many other kids in Carpinteria through his involvement in the youth sports programs and high school athletic programs.

Chuck started coaching his kids sports teams in the Carpinteria Youth Athletic Association (CYAA), and was on the Board of the CYAA before becoming its President. One year the kids needed new uniforms, so he learned how to fund raise for new uniforms from an article he read in a magazine. That year all the kids in the program sold toothbrushes, the next year they sold light bulbs, and then they sold World’s Finest Chocolate. Top sellers for each fundraiser would win a bike, runners up go skateboards.

As his kids grew, so did his participation in the community. Chuck served as President of the Carpinteria Boys Club where he helped raise funds for the construction of the gymnasium. He then served on the board of the CHS Boosters Club, before serving as President, where he helped to raise funds through the concession stand in support of all the athletic teams. He also helped build the dugouts at the baseball field, and helped fund raise for the construction of Memorial Stadium at the high school. Chuck wrote and published the program for the home football games for several years to make them more attractive so that local businesses would advertise in the program, raising more funding for the Boosters Club.

Chuck was a Warrior at heart and lived the “Warrior Spirit Never Dies” motto. For several years, he would put up and take down the large “Warrior Spirit Never Dies” at all home football games. In 1979, Chuck became the ‘Voice of the Warriors’ as the announcer for the Warriors home football games. He announced JV and varsity football games for 28 years, and also announced three Russel Cup track meets. He was also the Chairman and co-organizer of the first two Carp-Bishop Alumni football games that raised thousands of dollars for each athletic program. When he wasn’t announcing or fundraising, he and Suzy were transporting injured football players and trainers to the hospital after games, as they did on three separate occasions.

His participation in the community did not go unnoticed, Chuck was named Carpinteria of the Year in 1982, where he gave credit to his wife Suzy for her love and support, and for always being there for him. He also recognized the impact that the former Carpinterians of the Year had on his own life which led him to give so much back to the community.

Running was Chuck’s favorite form of exercise which he shared with a group of regulars, which included Ed Damron, GG and Mary Ann Colson, Greg Lomeli, and Ray Hill. Chuck ran 13 marathons and logged a total of 16,000 miles during his running career. After Ed Damron ran 40 miles on his 40th birthday, Chuck was inspired to do the same on his 40th, with his running buddies taking turns running with him to get him across the finish line.

In 2007, Chuck wanted to move closer to one of his other passions which was skiing, so they moved to Eden, Utah. There he skied at Snow Basin and Powder Mountain which were two of his favorite spots. In retirement, Chuck enjoyed reading woodturning and golfing with friends. Chuck and Suzy made many wonderful friends in Eden who were always there for them. Chuck’s faith in God was at the core of who he was, he and Suzy attended the Holy Family Church in Ogden where they were Eucharistic ministers.

Chuck is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Suzy Kelsey. His sons Chris (Jeanne) and Mike, his daughters Candi Burquez (Wally) and Stacy Bowman (David). He is also survived by his grandchildren, whom he adored. Jace Bowman, Malcolm Bowman, Sophie Kelsey, Hannah Kelsey, Alex Burquez, Daniel Burquez, Zoe Kelsey and Connor Kelsey. He is preceded in death by his parents Bud and Pauline Kelsey, and his brother Ron Kelsey.

The Kelsey family would like to thank all of our friends and family for your outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. Chuck touched many people’s lives and we are grateful for the many stores that you have shared with us. A celebration of Chuck’s life will be held at the Carpinteria Cemetery on Saturday, October 19th at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Carpinteria High School Boosters Club, P.O. Box 444, Carpinteria, CA 93014