Charles "Chuck" Montoya

1931 - 2010

November 1, 1931 - September 11, 2010

"Chuck", 78, a twenty-six year South Bay resident, died on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at his Torrance home. His last moments were spent surrounded by family. The youngest of 11 children (only 7 of whom survived until adulthood), Chuck (aka "Charlie" to his siblings) was born in Los Angeles, CA on November 1, 1931 to Spanish parents with deep, cultural roots in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He graduated from L.A. City's Garfield High School in 1951; joined the Air Force, where he spent his tour of duty in Japan as an aircraft mechanic in the Korean War. Post service, he began his career as a commercial aircraft mechanic for Trans World Airlines (which was later acquired by American Airlines), where he remained for 43 years. The job took him and his then wife, Libby, to Denver, Colorado for several years, where their two children were born. His daughter, Vickie, fondly remembers waiting up for daddy after he worked the "graveyard shift", so they could sit on the floor together and eat cold enchiladas. In 1983, TWA transferred the family back to Southern California, a place that Chuck often called "paradise". Chuck loved skiing, football, singing from classic musicals, watching M*A*S*H, drinking a good cocktail, and being knowledgeable about the latest automotive technology. One of the things he was most proud of was that his son, Kevin, who became a firefighter/paramedic. Chuck is survived by his daughter, Vickie Howell Campbell; his son, Kevin Montoya; his son-in-law, Dave Campbell; his daughter-in-law, Alicia Gentz Montoya; his grandsons, Tanner (10 1/2) and Tristan Howell (8 1/2); his granddaughter, Clover Campbell (15 mos.); his sisters, Sarah Montoya and Mary Evander; his nine nieces and nephews, and their respective children. He is preceded in death by his parents, Isabel and Juan Montoya and his siblings, "Vickie", "Cel", "Al", and Lydia. Chuck's ashes will be released into the same ocean he loved living near, in a private ceremony. Please join the family in a post-ceremony toast to Chuck, on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 12:00pm at Old Tony's on the Redondo Beach Pier (210 Fisherman's Wharf). In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Chuck Montoya Memorial Fund to benefit Alzheimer's awareness and support by logging onto: http://act.alz.org/goto/chuckmontoya. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits. Please go to Rice Mortuary's website, www.LAfuneral.com to send the family messages and to share memories.