Charles Alfred Tapley

Memorial service for Charles Alfred "Chuck" Tapley will be 10 a.m., Mon., June 3, at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Ray Crawford officiating. Military honors will be presented by the U.S. Navy.

Chuck passed away Wed., May 29, 2013, at the Claremore Nursing Home at the age of 85.

The son of Thomas Carlyle and Minnie Sofia (Skarin) Tapley was born June 24, 1927, in Lake View, IA. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Charles was raised on a farm near Sac City, Iowa. After graduating from High School , he served in the Navy in World War II. Aug. 28, 1947, Chuck married Margaret Ann Buwalda of Pella, Iowa in Rockwell City, IA. He started his career in Sac City as a Commercial Pilot . Later he attended school to become a Professional Land Surveyor and retired in 2003. He most recently worked part time at the D.W. Carrell Museum in Catoosa. Chuck enjoyed woodworking and playing golf. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, serving many capacities as well as Chrmn of Board of trustees. Was member of Congress of Surveying and Mapping, and a 59 year member of the American Legion. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Sac City and Storm Lake, Iowa and served twice as the Master of the Lodge.#178 He also was a member of the National Society of Professional Land Surveyors and served as president in 1991. He was Father Advisor of Rainbow for Girls and Office of Worthy Patron of Eastern Star. Charles "Chuck" especially enjoyed spending time with his son and wife and four grandsons and daughter and son and family, after Charles and Margaret moved to Claremore in 2003.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Mary K. Tapley; his parents; and sister, Frances Mailand.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret of the home; son, Mark C. Tapley and wife, Donna M. of Catoosa; an adopted family, Jane Garrido and family of Quito, Ecuador , grandchildren: Michael C. Tapley, Brian S. Tapley and fiancee, Natalie, Scott A. Tapley and wife, Kari, and Kevin D. Tapley and wife, Christy all of Catoosa; sister, Margaret J. Nelson and husband, Leroy of Sac City, IA; and brother-in-law, Walter C. Mailand of Omaha, NE. Also left to mourn his passing are neices and nephews and many friends. Later his cremains will be moved to Sac City, Iowa for burial.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, 400 W. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore, OK 74017, or First United Methodist Church, 1615 N. Hwy. 88, Claremore, OK 74017.