Charles Edward De Sutter Jr.

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University of New Mexico

Charles De Sutter Obituary

Charles "Charlie" Edward De Sutter, Jr.

Charles "Charlie" Edward De Sutter, Jr. (87) passed away in the comfort of his daughter's home on June 5, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 54 years: Deanna; a daughter: Kathleen Morris (Wes) of Magnolia, TX; two sons: David De Sutter (Stacy) and Steven De Sutter (Michele) all of Monett, MO; two granddaughters: Lauren and Stephanie Morris, also of Magnolia, TX; and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death were both parents: Charles De Sutter, Sr. and Marcella Lemper of Whiting, IN; and two younger sisters: Rita Yazveck and Joan Alberts.

Charlie graduated from George Rogers Clark High School of Hammond, IN in 1951, and worked briefly at Standard Oil before being drafted into the Army in 1953. He spent two years in the Canal Zone (Panama) in the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, plus six years in the Army Reserve. Using the G.I. Bill, Charlie earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of New Mexico in 1960. Most of his working days were spent as a Photogrammetrist, and in later years with the New Mexico Highway Department.

Upon retirement, he filled his time volunteering for various entities in Albuquerque: The Police Department Crime Lab; The Albuquerque Metropolitan Court as a bailiff; and the Albuquerque Public Library. Charlie and his wife enjoyed leisurely springtime road trips to Missouri and beyond, taking the roads less traveled to find antiques and interesting sites, all while visiting their two sons and their wives. He absolutely loved to fly, and used that excuse to visit his daughter and granddaughters as often as he could.

Charlie was an avid collector and made it a point to continue learning through his love of reading about WWII, airplanes, u-boats, gold coins, and pocket watchesâ€¦to name a few. He was a very talented fine-woodworker and even acquired the so-called woodworker's (shave-off) finger while creating many beautiful items from his exotic wood collection.

Loved by many, he enjoyed telling stories over a cup of coffee and a donut (or two), hanging out at the gun store, eating eggs, smashed potatoes, tapioca, and PIE!

The bonds he formed and memories he held with longtime friends kept him going strong as he and his wife moved to Texas in the Fall of 2018 to be closer to his daughter's family.

Once in Texas, Charlie held on to the hope he would be able to return to Albuquerque. He did find great comfort in spending a lot more time with his daughter and two granddaughters, enjoyed the friendship and "craziness" of the Magnolia Senior Center, playing checkers, and watching many heavy rainstorms on the porch.

A few of Dad's infamous sayingsâ€¦

I'd like to survive a plane crash.

Bad pie is better than no pie at all.

Chile today, hot tamale.

I am fascinated by work; I can stand around all day and watch it.

I'd like to experience a tornado and a hurricane.

Gazonga!

You're ok, I don't care what the administration says about you.

â€¦but you could be better!

May I fry you an egg?

French toast - that's a waste of a good egg.

...Cow's Ass?!

Charlie's interment will take place at the VA cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico as a symbol of his intense love of his country.

Dad, you are missed but we are comforted that you are in (your Forever home) Heaven! Enjoy your drive back to Albuquerque in your FORD pickup truck. Be sure to meet up with all your buddies at the Zia Range, but don't forget to eat a dozen slimy eggs beforehand! Stop by the Frontier on the way back and fill your plate to the brim with a "free sample" of Ranchero sauce. Until we meet againâ€¦

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albuquerque Journal from Jul. 26 to Jul. 27, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles De Sutter

4 Entries

Wayne Fisher

November 21, 2021

Charlie´s and my road trip to Gary Indiana many Veterans Days ago had a major impact on my life. The middle passenger in his pickup was my future wife. His stay in DC provided many stories of his adopted western culture.

Eric Pohl

July 30, 2020

Charlie was fun to work with. We both had hours of talk about guns while working. He was very crafty with wood. Charlie liked his donuts that was another reason we got along so well on the jobs. He's a great friend in life that I will miss. I will probably see him at the great buffet in heaven.

Mike McDonald

July 27, 2020

Charlie is still our favorite customer and character at McDonald Electric. We have a move where we cut people off in traffic called "the Desutter" that he taught us. His stories were the best ! Some were even true. Charlie is one of kind and told me the Deanna was his better 2/3rds . He told me Deanna had very bad eyesight and poor sense of smell and that's why she married him. When it's my turn to die, you can be certain that I will look Charlie up. Mike McDonald, Albuquerque,NM

Lauren Morris

July 26, 2020

Grandpa, the last 26 years had been filled with so many great memories together. You were the first person to teach me how to drive your pickup in the school parking lot and taught me how to shoot and handle a gun. I use to spend hours in your garage helping you make bullets and trying to “clean” your garage (even though I was probably just moving the dust from one area of the garage to the other haha). We use to go grab coffee at Starbucks everytime I visited, and each time I had to remind you that a tall was the same thing as a small (you just thought that was the stupidest thing haha). Every day you would ask me if I wanted a treat, and if I said “No I’m fine” you would always say “But you could be better” and proceeded to hand me the treat. We use to sit in your living room and watch jeopardy or the old antique road house show and I would yell at you each time I saw your eyes were closed and you would just open one eye and say that you were not asleep and just resting your eyes. The last two years you lived here in Texas with us meant so much to me since I was able to see you twice a week. I always enjoyed seeing the smile that lit up your face whenever I brought over a new dessert each Sunday. And even though I wish that you were down here with us right now, I know that you are happy up in Heaven looking over us. I miss you grandpa and will always leave the last piece of my pie for you. Love you!

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