Obituary of Charles R. Chase
Charles “Chuck” R. Chase (76) lifelong St. Maries, Idaho resident passed away at his home on June 8, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Cyril and Verdie (Shepherd) Chase on May 30, 1948, in St. Maries. Born a natural athlete, Chuck excelled at basketball in high school. He graduated with the class of 1966.
Following high school, Chuck attended University of Idaho as Sigma Chi for 1 year before enrolling at North Idaho College. His primary focus was to obtain a degree in Business Management and run Chase Chevrolet. Chuck went to work for Chase Chevrolet in 1968 as a Service Manager and in October 1971, he married his high school sweetheart Michelle Carman. They made their home in St. Maries and had 4 children. Although their marriage ended in divorce in 1985, they remained friends. In 1980, Chuck went into partnership with his father at Chase Chevrolet, and in 1999 made the tough decision to close the dealership. However, his career was not over in the industry, he worked for Knudtson Chevrolet and then served as the Becker Buick Service Manager from 2000 – 2007.
An avid golfer and passionate about the St. Maries area, Chuck left the auto industry and went to work at the St. Maries Golf Course as the Greenskeeper. This was a job fit for him, and to Chuck it didn’t feel like work at all. He loved the golf course going above and beyond in his duties, and he worked right up until a few weeks before he died giving 16 years to the course and the golfers that played there.
In 2018 through social media, Chuck was blessed when he reconnected with high school friend Carol McCormac. She was his best friend and true-life partner. They enjoyed traveling all over in their motor home spending time with their fur babies Molly and Beverly. Carol supported Chuck in all his endeavors, and he loved her dearly.
Chuck was a simple man who loved life and took every opportunity for adventure. He enjoyed golfing (winner of the 1966 and 1991 Club Championship and too many tournaments to count including the recipient of $3000 with a 60 ft putt in a tournament), racing, bowling, snowmobiling, boating, water skiing, horse racing, barbecues, and cheering on his favorite teams – Go Celtics, Bulldogs, Seahawks, and Yankees! If he wasn’t cheering for one professional sports team or another, you found him on the bleachers cheering on the Lumberjack boys’ basketball team. He also loved music and was known as a traveling jukebox. Most importantly, he loved being with his family and they meant the world to him. Back in the day he also participated in the men’s basketball league and adult softball. To say Chuck will be missed is an understatement, he was loved by his family and numerous friends. He leaves behind a lasting legacy specifically out at the golf course and for all who knew him. Chuck’s family would like to thank Hospice of North Idaho for the care they gave Chuck in his last days.
Chuck is survived by Carol at their home in St. Maries; children Bryan Chase (Kristi Masterson) of St. Maries, Brent (Shizuka) Chase of Honolulu, HI, Dustin (Jamie) Chase of Hayden, ID, and Nik (Natsumi) Chase of Honolulu, HI; sister Dixie Haeg of St. Maries; nephews Scott Thornbrugh and Rick Haeg; nieces Heidi White, Cindi Stevenson, and Terri Hudson; 14 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Cy and Verdie Chase, sister Sylvia Thornbrugh, brother in-law Gene Haeg, and nephew Russ Thornbrugh.
A Memorial Service will be on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 1:00 pm at the Elks Lodge in St. Maries, ID with a gathering of family and friends to share a meal following. Memorial donations are suggested to SM Youth Golf, 83279 Hwy 3 S., St. Maries, ID 83861.
