Charles Wilkes

Click Here To View Memorial Video Our wonderful father and grandfather, Charles W. Wilkes, 87, died Thursday, August 15, 2013, in American Fork, Utah, due to complications of pneumonia. He was born June 10, 1926, to O. Frane Wilkes and Jeanne Carol Wollenzien Wilkes in Afton, Wyoming. He grew up working on his father's dairy farm. He was a great student and athlete in his high school years. He trained as a pilot for the US Navy but did forgo a career as a pilot to serve an LDS mission in South Africa. Upon his return, he married his sweetheart, Verla Ree Clark, March 16, 1950, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. He received his Mechanical Engineering Degrees from the University of Utah and University of Southern California, where he graduated with scholastic honors. During his time in California, Charles worked for Hughes Aircraft. He enjoyed working at Westinghouse and Argonne National Laboratories. Charles and Verla raised their five children, Tamara, Wynn, Jim, David and Jayna, in Idaho Falls. They have been blessed to have a numerous posterity of 31 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren. After 26 years, Charles retired from Argonne. He and his wife served a mission for the LDS Church in Columbia, South Carolina. Though they missed their grandchildren, they thoroughly enjoyed serving the Lord. Charles has served faithfully through the years in various callings in the church. Most recently, he served as the Stake Patriarch of the Eagle Rock Stake for 24 years. He served for many years as a temple worker. After living in Idaho Falls for almost 60 years, Charles and Verla recently relocated to Cedar Hills, Utah, to be near their family (4133 Cedar Hills Drive, Cedar Hills, UT 84062). The family was blessed to have a reunion earlier this month where 71 of the Wilkes family were able to spend several days together. A week before his passing, Charles was laughing with his grandchildren. His legacy of kindness, hard work and integrity has influenced all who have known him. Charles is survived by his wife, Verla, and his five children, Tamara (Richard) Hogsett, Wynn (Teresa) Wilkes, Jim (Leigh Anne) Wilkes, David (Tricia) Wilkes, and Jayna (Tom) Nelson. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 23, 2013, at the Idaho Falls LDS 39th / Osgood Ward Chapel, 7940 North 35th West, Idaho Falls, with a viewing from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Teton-Newdale Cemetery. Military Rites will be performed by the Idaho Honor Guard.

Funeral Services -- Friday

11:00 a.m. ,Friday, August 23, 2013 Idaho Falls LDS 39th Ward 7950 North 35th West Idaho Falls, ID 83402 Notes: The family will visit with friends from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church. Interment will be in the Teton-Newdale Cemetery.