Charles A. Dunton

Charles A. Dunton (Chuck) went to be with the Lord on September 14, 2007, following a long and brave battle with cancer. He is remembered as a man of quiet strength, a New England charm, and a deep and abiding faith.

West Texas became Chuck's "adopted home" in 1990, when he joined the staff of the Midland Angels (now RockHounds) baseball club. While his dedication and work ethic were remarkable, it was Chuck's genuine way with people that made him so special. Just as Midland became his second home, so many whose lives he touched here became his extended family.

A New England native, Chuck was born on November 4, 1938, in Burrillville, Rhode Island, the son of Germaine and Francis A. Dunton, Sr. (both since deceased). He was one of five children, and is survived by his sisters Muriel Roberts, Marcy Sheely and Gloria Dunton, and by his brother, Francis A. Dunton, Jr. He is also survived by his daughter, Donna, and his sons, David and Charles A. Dunton, Jr. His third son, Joseph, was killed in a car accident in 1987, at age 19.

Chuck's first professions included insurance and retail (sporting goods) sales. In 1968 and 1969, he worked in sports marketing; a field to which he would later return. His remarkable work ethic can be traced, in part, to the decade (1970-80) he spent as a farmer. He then spent three years working as a quality control inspector for the 3-M Company before starting his own sports telemarketing company in 1984, and he would spend the next 23 years in the sports marketing field.

In 1989, he was hired by Monty Hoppel to join the staff of the Tucson Toros baseball club. When Monty became general manager of the Midland Angels the following year, he asked Chuck to join his staff in West Texas. The two remained colleagues and close friends for nearly two decades before Chuck's passing.

In more than 30 years of sports marketing, Chuck became a friend not only to his clients, but to everyone who knew him in the baseball community. He also had a deep and life-long passion for the game, especially his beloved Boston Red Sox (one of the ties to his New England roots which remained with him always).

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, September 18, at Abundant Life Church, 4801 Princeton Avenue, in Midland.

Memorials are asked to be sent to the Scott Seator/Midland RockHounds Memorial Fund: c/o Permian Basin Area Foundation 550 West Texas, Suite 1260, Midland, TX, 79701

Scott, who also passed away after a long battle with cancer, was Chuck's colleague and friend from the time of Scott's hiring in 1991 until his passing in September of 1996.