Charles E. Wagner

Charles E. Wagner

January 19, 1949 ~ November 26, 2014

Charles “Charlie” Edward Wagner was born in Chehalis, Washington, on January 19, 1949.  He lived there for about a year when his parents, Merlyn C. Wagner and Emma F. (Hampton) Wagner returned to Montrose, Colorado, to live.  His father passed away when Charlie was 15 months old.  Later, his mother married a childhood friend, Jack L. Loss of Montrose.  Jack was the only father that Charlie ever knew.  They lived in Montrose until Charlie was in the fifth grade and then relocated to Norwood, Colorado where Charlie spent the rest of his school years.

Charlie served his country as a Navy Corpsman and was a Vietnam veteran.  Following his service he attended Grand Canyon College in Phoenix, Arizona, where he met Elaine M. Couch.  They were married on May 25, 1974 and lived in Phoenix for a year before moving to Montrose.  With that exception they lived their 40 years of marriage in Montrose.  Charlie owned and operated Charlie’s Pest Control for 20 years.  He was a member of Abundant Life Church in Montrose.

Charlie enjoyed fishing, especially at Lake Powell, but his real passion was baking.  He was always looking through cookbooks for new recipes, but when he found one, he would alter or enhance it in some way to make it uniquely his own.  He was best known for his banana nut bread, making over 3200 loaves and giving away nearly all of them.  He also baked and gave away his outrageous brownies, Charlie’s Chocolate pies, snicker doodles, and cinnamon rolls to people who were special to him on various holidays.  He was always a very generous man.

Charlie had another passion for singing.  He sang at many weddings and funerals, but most of all he loved to sing for the Lord at church.  Charlie never met a stranger.  He was friendly, out-going and had a wonderful sense of humor.  In his later years he liked to affectionately call people “kid”.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Elaine (Couch) Wagner, Montrose and their son, Matthew Wagner and his wife, Stephanie, and five grandchildren, all of Olathe, Colorado; one brother, James L. Loss and his wife, Karli of Montrose, Colorado; One sister Kathie L. (Loss) Nyberg and her husband Ray of Hilo, Hawaii; sister-in-law Sally (Couch) Holman and husband Jerry of Stockton, California; sister-in-law Kathy Yancy of Little Elm, Texas; and many other uncles, aunts and cousins.

He was preceded in death by one son, James David Wagner, his birth father Merlyn C. Wagner, parents Jack L. Loss and Emma F. (Hampton) Loss, father and mother-in-law Otis and Mary (Roberts) Couch, and one brother-in-law Robert Yancy.

A public visitation for family and friends was held on December 1, 2014 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Crippin  Funeral Home Chapel. A Funeral Service in celebration of Charlie’s life will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at The Abundant Life Church of God in Montrose.  A Graveside service with military honors will follow the service at Grand View Cemetery, west of Montrose.  In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Abundant Life Church, to upgrade the sound system, 2430 East Niagara Road, Montrose,  Co. 81401 Arrangements are under the care of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.