Charles E McCarrel

Charles E. “Chuck” McCarrel, 92, AV contractor, poet, video poker enthusiast, and chili cook extraordinaire died on Friday, July 2nd  in his home. A Navy Veteran of the Korean War, Chuck was a welder on board the USS Sicily and USS Bataan. He married Sarah Lee Hunter in 1951 and later divorced. In 1970, he established his business, Sound Systems Specialist, designing AV installations in schools and houses of worship throughout Illinois. After reluctantly “retiring” in 2010, he continued consulting until full retirement at 82. Chuck proudly became a published poet on his 90th birthday when presented with an anthology of the humorous, narrative poems he had written over the decades.  He is survived by Carol, his wife of 44 years; sister—Jane Williams; children—Gary, Nancy, Debbie, Charlie; grandchildren—Shi Lynn and Ashley Brady, Jesse and Samantha McCarrel, Dustin Lawrence and Riley Keeling, and Fiona, Miles, and Rex McCarrel; and great grandchildren—Mica Hoffman and Lincoln McCarrel. Memorial donations may be made to Helping Hands of Springfield or charity of choice. A party to celebrate Chuck’s life will be held at a later date.  As described by Hunter S. Thompson (and upheld by Chuck), “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow! What a Ride!”

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