Mr. Charles W Fender Jr.

Charles W. Fender, Jr. was born 11/23/1918 and passed away on 11/23/2023, 105 years young, at his home of 72 years in Kensington, CA.  He grew up in Berkeley, attended UCB, where he met his beloved wife, Clavel, in 1941, and they had 78 wonderful years together, until Clavel’s passing in 2021.  He is survived by his two daughters, in whose arms he quietly passed, a nephew and his family, four grandchildren and their spouses, and 7 great-grandchildren.

He served in the army during WWII for four years and developed a passion for Italy and her people, as a civil affairs officer. Upon returning home he attended Stanford Business School on the G.I. Bill.  This way he could root for both Cal and Stanford at the many years of football and basketball games he attended, depending on who was winning!

Charlie was passionate about his community, his church, YMCA and the Seafarer’s Ministry.  He and Clavel had a vibrant network of college friends with whom they were very active for decades.  They traveled the world together, and with friends, and visited all 50 states.

Charlie was an avid bridge player, singer, dancer, reader, mountain climber, hiker, bike rider, and tennis player until 96 years of age, when he said he “just wasn’t very good at it anymore”!  He built innovative furniture for his home, gardened with passion.  He retired at 65 and said “I don’t know how I ever had time to work”.

He was lovingly cared for during his last two years by five wonderful caregivers whom we appreciate beyond words.  He was kind, playful, a great parent/grandparent/great-grandparent and friend and enjoyed a full and well lived life until his last breath.  We were fortunate to have him in our lives for so long.

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