Charles Richard Strance

Charles R. Strance of Surprise, Arizona was called to his Heavenly home on February 2, 2023 while on one of his favorite sunny afternoon bike rides.  He would have turned 95 this year.

Charlie was the youngest of five children born to Hilbert and Mercedes Strance in Oil City, PA.  Shortly after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the army and served a 2 year tour of duty on the island of Okinawa during the Korean War.  After discharge, he returned to Oil City to work as a traveling welder.  During this time, he met his soul mate, a Scottish/Irish nurse named Mary Lou.  They were married in 1954 and made a decision to move to Albuquerque, NM.  Charlie built a trailer to carry their few possessions and they headed west to build a new life together.

Both were quickly employed, and Charlie worked for the next 20 years as a company man for Chevron Oil.  He had a growing desire to be his own boss and in 1971 opened a welding and service center for recreational vehicles.  He became active in the Albuquerque community through a businessmen’s association, the Shriners, the Masons, a bowling league, treasurer for the Albuquerque Raceway, and a member of the West Mesa RC Club.

Charlie and Mary Lou raised four children introducing them to the wonders of the New Mexico outdoors.  Charlie and his brother Ed built a cabin in the Pecos Wilderness and loved fishing, hunting, jeeping, motorcycling, horseback riding and hiking. Through his RV business, he also got into motor homing, boating, and water skiing.  His curiosity never ceased and eventually he became a small aircraft pilot.  Charlie and Mary became young at heart grandparents and great grandparents thrilled to be involved in the lives of young souls.

At retirement, Charlie and Mary Lou made another life decision to relocate to Surprise, AZ for their senior years.  They thrived in their retirement community, worshiping at HTCF, volunteering where ever they could, taking long walks, enjoying some of the parks clubs for lapidary, card games, the Masons and found a constant support group for over 30 years. They loved to host visitors to HT and traveled to all 50 states in the US as well as to the Caribbean, Central/South America, Canada, Amsterdam and the Arabian Peninsula.  

Charlie found an outside RC Club at the Mustang Field in Surprise which brought many new friends into his life and kept his mind and hands active.  Through his last day on earth, he treasured meeting with the morning coffee gang at McDonalds solving the world’s problems.  A favorite Charlie quote was “never do tomorrow what you can do today.”  As a person, he was humble, kind, thoughtful, playful.  His core values were family, faith, hard work.  Mary Lou always said he was a dreamer and a doer.  The life he lived will forever fill his family’s hearts with inspiration and thanksgiving.

Charlie is survived by three children (Sherry, Jeff, Cyndi), son in law Matt, granddaughter Amber, grandson in law John, great grandsons Myles and Chase, and several nieces who faithfully connected with him.  He is preceded to his heavenly home by his wife Mary Lou, daughter Lora and son in law Bill.  A memorial service will be held at Happy Trails Community on April 17th at 1:00 p.m. in Building NC2 for any who wish to attend.

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