Charles Henricksen (Lt. Colonel, U.S.A.F., Ret.)

Charles (Chuck) E. Henricksen passed away on Wednesday afternoon March 27, 2013 at Banner Boswell Medical Center just two weeks before his 91st birthday. He was born April 14, 1922 in Racine, Wisconsin, the second son of Henry M. and Edna L. Henricksen (nee Christensen). Following World War II, Chuck was married to the former Joy Berry of Tucson, Arizona for almost 60 years until her death in 2005. Together they snowbirded between Racine and Sun City starting in 1999, and for the past six years Chuck has been a resident of Royal Oaks Lifecare Community in Sun City, Arizona. Chuck is survived by his son Rick Henricksen of Middleton, Wisconsin and his daughter and son-in-law Susan and Robert Thompson of Laurel, Maryland. Also surviving is one sister-in-law Arminta Berry of Little Rock, Arkansas as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and numerous grand nieces and grand nephews. In addition to his true love and wife Joy, Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law George and Marge Henricksen of Racine, Wisconsin and brother-in-law C. Stanley Berry of Little Rock, Arkansas. Chuck served as a B-24 bomber pilot in World War II, completing 30 successful missions just after D-Day. He was discharged in 1945, but served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, eventually retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was awarded the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the World War II Victory Medal, the Meritorious Achievement Certificate, and the Certificate of Valor. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics from Wheaton College and held various positions in Personnel Management at Modine Manufacturing Company in Racine. He retired in 1985 as the Manager of Salaried Compensation and Benefits. He loved the Lord and was an active member of Racine Bible and Calvary Memorial Churches in Racine, serving as Music/Choir Director at Racine Bible Church for 16 years and leaving a precious legacy of music there. He was also a member of Bethany Bible Church in Phoenix and Grace Bible Church in Sun City. Chuck will be buried next to his wife in her ancestors’ family plot near New Braunfels, Texas following the funeral service, which will be held at Grace Bible Church, 19280 N 99th Ave., Sun City, AZ 85373 on Monday April 8 at 11 a.m. The service will be conducted by Pastor William Bjork. Friends are also invited to the visitation to be held at Grace Bible Church beginning at 10 a.m. on the day of the service. The family would like to publicly express its profound gratitude to Mark Schmitt, Frank and the late Patricia Frost, Peggy Evans, Drs. Carl Lindquist, John Donaldson, and Andrew Gorman, Marisol Vergara, Dina Capek, Laura Harding, Maria Hernandez, Armando Urista, Benito Ramirez, Kathie and Stephen Barnes, Pastor Bill, Homewatch Caregivers, Summit Therapy Group, and all Royal Oaks staff for their extraordinary and outstanding attention to Chuck’s needs in his last years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Chuck’s favorite mission ministry, headed by Franklin Graham: Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000.