Charles William Grogan passed from this earthly life Sunday, October 7, 2018 at the age of 98. In his later years, family members would remark that he was aging in reverse! Always gracious, friendly, loving, patient, content, and appreciative of the blessings of life, his strength of character and steady smile will be missed. Local arrangements were under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory. A private family service and interment are with Greenlawn Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri.
Charles was born on August 20, 1920 in Afton, Oklahoma to J. R. and Margaret (Hulsey) Grogan. During the Depression years, the family lived in several communities before settling in Vinita, Ok. During his high school years, “Charlie” spent two summers in CMTC (Civilian Military Training Camp) as a gunner in field artillery. After graduation from high school in 1939, he received an Associates Degree and teaching certification after attending college in Tahlequah, Ok. For the next year he was the sole teacher of grades 1-8 in the one room Winfrey School in Bluejacket, Ok; and took advantage of a reality classroom where his students observed flight training of RAF pilots training in adjacent fields. The reality of war after the attack on Pearl Harbor compelled Charles to enlist in the Navy six months later, reporting for active duty training in Dec. 1942. Advanced training in Rhode Island led to assignment to 77th Seabees Battalion; shipping out in August 1943 to military action in the Solomon Islands, receiving 3 Battle Stars for Bougainville, Vella Lavella, and Emaru. Charles left Guadalcanal by ship for San Francisco, arriving on June 1. On June 11, 1944 he married Vivian Reece in the First Baptist Church in Vinita, Ok. On July 1, Charles reported to Midshipmen’s School at Colombia University in New York.
In March 1945, he was commissioned Ensign and joined the Regimental Staff that consisted of the top 5 graduates. Charles then completed specialized training at Harvard University in September 1945, achieving the rank of Lt. J.G. Never did he forget his experiences in service to our country for “3 years, 9 months, and 2 days.” In 2011, Charles was honored by the State of Oklahoma as the “Veteran of the Day” at the Oklahoma State Capitol. After the war, Charles and Vivian moved to Monette, Mo., where sons Gary and Steve were born. Charles accepted a position in the engineering department of Philips Petroleum Co. and moved to Bartlesville in 1951, where daughter Susan was born several years later. Family and church life were important to Charlie; he was a Deacon at Highland Park Baptist Church, enjoyed managing concessions at the Will Rogers Elementary School “Fun Night,” and supported local events until a 1969 transfer with Phillips took them to Puerto Rico for four years and then to England for six years. Charles and Vivian transferred back to Houston and then to Borger, Tx. After his retirement in 1982, they lived in Springfield, Mo., before returning to Bartlesville in 2008 to live at Green Country Village.
Charles appreciated all of the locations of his transfers but was particularly fond of the years in London where weekend trips, flea markets, antiques, and historical sites were a source of great enjoyment. His loved ones are grateful to have had the privilege of his presence for an amazing 98 years. As Charles was a man of faith, they take solace in his peaceful “home going” and celebrate his reuniting with Vivian, his wife of 69 years, having preceded him in death in September, 2013. He was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Pamela, brother Roy, and sister Margaret Ann.
Charles is survived by son Gary and Rebecca (Whittington) Grogan; son Steve and Tana (Stubblefield) Grogan; daughter, Susan (Grogan) Burris and Eric Fasking; and Grandchildren: Kevin and Tiffany Grogan and children, Liam and Riley; Grant and Lori Grogan and son Jake; Chelsea Grogan, Ross Grogan; Jason and Amber Nunley and children Eli, Anna, Grace, and Quinn; Evan and Toni Nunley and children Dayton and Micah.
During a 2009 interview with Joe Todd, conducted on behalf of the Eisenhower Library, Charles was asked, “How do you want to be remembered?” Charles replied, “I’d like to be remembered as a good dad to my kids.”
Mission……. More than…… accomplished, Charlie AKA devoted husband, beloved dad, sweet father-in-law, and loving grandpa!