Charles Senter

CHARLES SENTER "Charlie" October 17, 1924 July 13, 2006 Charles Senter passed away peacefully at his Fresno home, surrounded by his loving family at his side. He was born in Seattle on October 17, 1924, to Charles and Clara Senter. Raised in Everett, Washington, he graduated from high school in 1942. During WWII, Charlie was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps, flying the P-38 Lightning. Also during the war, he met and married his lifetime sweetheart, Mardell Anderson. They were married at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in 1944 after dating only three months. He became a member of the church 56 years ago and was a devoted and faithful member until his passing. Following the war, he studied art at Denver University and the Los Angeles Art Center. Most of his art career was with the Fresno Bee, where as an artist and later the Art Director, he worked for 38 years before retiring in 1989. His artwork is in the homes of many family members who cherish it and display it proudly. Charles and Mardell enjoyed traveling in the U.S. and Europe, but his favorite trips were to his boyhood summer home at Spec-Bi-Dah in the Puget Sound area of Washington state. They also attended reunions for his fighter squadron in various parts of the country and enjoyed seeing old friends. He led a full life and was actively involved in the lives of his children and grandchildren; both daughters and his son were a part of Indian Guides and Maidens with their father. He coached Babe Ruth baseball and was involved in other sports with his son Gary. Charles never missed his grandson Sylas Wright's baseball games at Sierra High School. He was also very supportive of other grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a great role model to his family, and his marriage to Mardell has been a beautiful love story. Charles was a kind, gentle man with a keen wit and a wonderful sense of humor who will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched. Charlie is preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Howard and Richard Senter. He is survived by Mardell, his loving wife of 61 years. He also is survived by sisters, Clara Holcomb and Marilyn Logan; brothers, David Senter and Donald Senter; his children and their spouses, Sheila and Ed Metzler, Gary and Gayle Senter, and Connie and Bob Wright; his grandchildren and their spouses, Jennifer and Chris Fong, Christy and Larry Benggon, Amber and Jason Ficht, and Sylas Wright; and seven great-grandchildren, Matthew, Mark, Megan and Michael Fong, Timothy and Nathan Mount and Ian Benggon. A Memorial Service will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church on Friday, July 28, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. Remembrances may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 785 N. Fowler Ave., Clovis, CA 93611 or to Optimal Hospice Care, 6760 N. West Ave., Ste. 103, Fresno, CA 93711.