Charles F. Guest, Jr.
The beautiful soul of Charles Frankland Guest, Jr. – “Charlie” to family & friends- began his earthly journey on April 7, 1935, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Son of Charles Frankland Guest, Sr. and Wilma Winona James, he was the only brother to four adoring sisters, whom he often referred to with loving protectiveness and a slightly mischievous vein of boyhood capriciousness as “his houseful of girls”. He ended his journey on July 19, 2019, at the age of 84 due to complications arising from aplastic anemia.
Charlie was honored to be among the very first senior class to graduate from Olympus High School, where he played varsity football and acquired his love for art & painting and also his first true passion-his infamous and forever-dear 1959 red & white Chevy Impala.
Starting in his early teens and all throughout his school years, Charlie worked with his father laying floor coverings and learning his craft. He later moved into both commercial & residential remodeling and construction, eventually becoming an independent Building Contractor until his retirement. His particular skill was the painstaking, fine-detail finish work he was known for on many dozens of homes and iconic buildings across the whole Wasatch Valley, where he established a strong reputation as a fine craftsman and hard-working, reputable businessman.
Charlie ventured toward a commercial art career at the University of Utah, which he interrupted after only 1 yr. to enlist in the Army National Guard. Upon completing four years of service, he later met and married his loving wife & life-partner Mary Louise Cox, also adopting her two small children, Rod & Susan, as his own. Charlie & Mary completed their family by later adopting their son Chris.
Charlie deeply enjoyed reading & discussing politics & spirituality, sketching, oil & watercolor painting, lake & stream fishing and building things with his hands, particularly from wood. He could build just about anything anyone could dream up, with as much love & patience as he did skill & creativity. His one true passion however, was his family, and he had an extra special soft spot for any opportunity to interact with & teach little kids. He was active in his church and needless to say, the first to volunteer when needed as the Children’s Sunday- School teacher or scout leader.
Charlie was an awesome & loving husband, father, uncle and grandfather. There is not a family member or friend who does not mention his gentle manner and prevailing sense of humor in the same breath when describing him.
Preceded in death by his wife only 8 months prior; son Rodney; sisters Frances, Judy, Lynne; his mother and father and brothers-in-law Richard, Russ, Don and Ken; sisters-in-law Karen, Rhea and Neva . He is survived by his daughter Susan & husband Dennis; his son Chris & wife Amy; grandchildren Eneas, Brayden, Annie, Brandon, Corinne and Nathan; sister-in-law Carla and brother-in-law Jack; 22 nieces and nephews who were very close and 1 great-grandchild. Special gratitude to his sister Susan; niece Patty & husband Golden, niece Jennifer & nephew Rob & wife Merilee; the nurses & staff at Highland Care Center, especially Catherine, Amy, Sarah and Julie, and the nurses & staff at Encompass Hospice who helped his children & their families keep him special company and strived to make him as comfortable as possible throughout his last days on this earth. Your care & compassion are heartfelt.
There are many who have awaited your transition to life after life, Dad. We love you and all of them and know that you are rejoicing in joyful reunion with all of them now. We are missing you already, and we will hold you in our hearts forever.
Graveside service & blessing will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 11:00 am and everyone who wants to is invited to share a short memory of Charlie with us all. Service will be immediately followed by a light lunch at the home of Charlie’s sister Susan Ranck. Susan’s address will be disclosed at the service.
Service: Elysian Gardens Cemetery
1075 East 4580 South (College St.)
Salt Lake City (Millcreek), UT.