Chuck passed away on Jan. 26, 2020, in Mountain Home, Ark., at the age of 88.

Chuck began his career in the explosives industry at a young age delivering product for an explosive distributor in Texas.  When sales increased in his delivery area, his employer quickly realized that Chuck was a natural salesman and was promoted into a sales position.

He worked in Virginia, and then moved to the export division of Atlas Powder, Atlas International in Port Bienville, Miss., where he headed sales and logistics for export into various regions.  Chuck travelled to 61 countries during the course of his career.

He was instrumental in the development of explosive initiation systems in South America, the Caribbean and Central America. Chuck was a very hands guy who advanced blasting technology in those regions. He also worked on several projects in Europe, especially Turkey. It was through his expertise, knowledge, honesty, and most importantly, he was one of the most personable, humble and respected men in the industry that made him one of a kind.

After his retirement, Chuck and his wife Edna moved to the White River area in Flippin, Ark. He started his second career building specialty fishing boats made for White River Trout Fishing. He enjoyed the outdoors, and fishing on the river with friends and family. In truth, Chuck enjoyed good conversation and loved telling stories and tales to his fishing companions.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Edna Blackwell, of Flippin, Ark; four sons, Patrick and wife Cathy of Golden, Colo., Tommy and wife Lisa of Cotter, Ark., Mark and wife Margie of Fort Myers, Fla., and Larry of Alamogordo, N.M. He also leaves seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

To those of us who were honored to work alongside of him, the memories and stories will be told for many years. Chuck will be missed by many.