Longtime neighbor Charlie Jones died at age 101 on July 27. Charlie and his late wife Gert raised five children in the home they purchased in 1954 on East Curtis Drive.
Charlie and Gert were high school sweethearts who married in 1936. Charlie served in the National Guard and was superintendent of training for Standard gas stations. Wanting a greater challenge, Charlie and Gert purchased and operated two Standard stations.
Charlie became a State Farm insurance agent as his family grew to five children. Much joy was experienced when the family spent holidays playing softball or touch football in the park. Many tennis matches were contested just down the street from their home.
Charlie was an artisan. He did the plumbing, electrical, carpentry and plastering work when remodeling the family home. When they moved into the East Curtis Drive home, he designed the patio and shop and was involved in the construction.
Their house was built in 1929 by boxer Max Baer, who became world heavyweight champion in 1934.
— By Carolyn Jones, Special to Viewpoint