Obituary of Charles Raymond Bretches

Charles Raymond Bretches, born August 27, 1924 in San Bernardino, CA, died from complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis at his home in Pearland, Texas, on May 17, 2011. He was preceded in death in 2002 by his wife, Sue Evelyn Waldron Bretches of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and by his brothers, Frank Bretches of Wichita, Kansas and Donald D. Bretches of Grandview, Missouri. He was a builder of fine homes in the greater Kansas City area for his entire adult life and, after retirement, continued as a builder/consultant in projects in Connecticut, Illinois, Virginia, Texas and Tennessee. He was a Craftsman in the finest sense of the word. Charlie is survived by his brother, E. Roy Bretches of Greenwood, Missouri, his son, Dr. Donald D. Bretches and his wife, Joanellen, of Waynesboro, VA and his daughter, Ida S. Skaggs and her husband, Glen, of Loudon, TN. He also leaves the joy of his life: his grandsons, Dr. Marc Skaggs of Pearland, Texas; Ross Bretches of Richmond, VA; Chris Bretches of Fishersville, VA. and Seth Hart-Bretches of New York City, and his great-grandchildren, Austin, Garrett, William, Brendan, Jordan, Grace, and Baby Carter. He loved and delighted in them all. Charlie, as he is known to his many friends, had been a deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and Trustee in the First Baptist Church of Grandview, Missouri, (where Harry S. Truman was also a member) for more than fifty years before moving to his retirement home in Country Place, Pearland, Texas, in 2004. There, he was an active, loved and respected elder in the Calvary Baptist Church where he also served as bookkeeper until his death. Charlie was also an enthusiastic ukulele-playing member of the Country Place Ragtimers, as well as a set-builder for the Country Place Players theatre group and occasional walk-on actor. Charlie loved people and he loved life. He cherished the time he had with family and friends and regretted only that he had so little time to be with those he loved. There was so much more he longed to do. His service at Calvary Baptist Church on County Road 89, will be held on Sunday, May, 22 at 2 PM. And at 5 PM at his home at 3302 South Primrose Meadows Circle, Pearland, TX 77584, we will be having a celebration of his life for all his friends in Country Place and for any other friends who might be able to come. This will be a time for laughter and sharing good memories for those who loved him and who helped make his last few years so happy. In lieu of flowers, Charlie wanted donations to go to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.