Charles Edgar Brumfield
Charles Edgar Brumfield
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Charles Brumfield Obituary
Charlie was born in Oceanside, CA on June, 9, 1948 to Max and Gloria Brumfield. He was the oldest sibling to sisters Gloria and Kathy. His family moved around due to Max's military service, but Charlie spent most of his later youth in San Diego, where he developed a growing interest in sports along with academics.
Charlie had a love for handball which transitioned to racquetball and paddleball, where he became the #1 player on the men's professional tour for most of the 1970s, winning multiple titles in singles and doubles, indoor and outdoor. He was inducted into the National Hall of Fame for both Racquetball and Paddleball and became a legend through his play and advocacy of the sports. Notably he won 22 national titles, was featured by famed sports artist LeRoy Neiman, and played racquetball with Elvis. Charlie was known as "The People's Champion"!
Charlie earned his law degree at the University of San Diego while winning his back-to-back national single titles. He was a competitor in the courtroom as well, practiced law until his final days. He was known for his generosity, witty sense of humor, and love of a good story.
Charlie was married and divorced to Pat Brumfield and they had 1 son, Conor. Conor is married to Sarah, and they have 3 boys together. Grandpa Charlie was a proud Grandfather to Charlie (9), Will (7) and Jack (2). He is also survived by his sisters and their spouses Gloria Brumfield (Patrick) and Kathy (Bill) Connell. Chris is the son of Kathy and Bill and he is married to Shelly with a son, Glenn (1).
A celebration of his sports legacy will be held on August 16th, 2025.
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Carole Chelsea George
August 22, 2025
The People's Champion Charlie Brumfield will never be forgotten. His smarts, hard training, and unequalled competitive spirit took him to the top of a new sport, racquetball, through most of the 1970s. My condolences to his son Conor, daughter-in-law Sarah, grandsons Charlie, Will and Jack, and his sisters Gloria and Kathy, who shared many family pictures with me.
Kevin mcallister
August 16, 2025
Charlie was always courteous when i played in his events
Ward Eric Leber
August 14, 2025
Peter Callstrom
August 11, 2025
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Roby Partovich
August 10, 2025
Charlie you were the people´s champ. You were feared on the court and loved off it
You are going to be missed. RIP my friend
Papa Paul Lorenz
August 3, 2025
He called me "Papa Smurf". I don´t know why. I think it was because of my good looks. But what I remember most about Charlie was that he always knew I was there-he acknowledged me whenever I showed up, no matter how well I played. RIP my friend.
Sam Martinez
July 22, 2025
Hey buddy, court # 1 is open! Have fun up there!
John keller
July 22, 2025
Got to meet him,but didn't beat him funny guy,although he would of told a great story if he'd lost ,,Thank u Charlie for the memories. Truly.jk jesuskellerman
Kirk Loveday
July 9, 2025
There are many words to describe Charlie Brumfield. Magnetic is the one that always comes to mind. The peoples champ for sure! The peoples' person? Absolutely! I grew up always thinking that Charlie was just another family member but as I got to be older and Charlie eventually introduced us to paddleball, I realized how huge of an impact he has made in my life as well as countless others! I will always remember him this way! Also I am a victim, as well as countless others, of the Charlie Brumfield DONUT! R.I.P. El Gato Grande.
Tommy Loveday
July 8, 2025
Charlie , the peoples champion
Considered to be one of the five Loveday brothers when the old man died it was written that Charlie would receive 1/5 of the ashes
Charlie loved the Loveday´s and the Loveday´s loved, Charlie
R.I.P.
John Ritter
July 8, 2025
Charlie was my brother-in-law, married to Patricia Ann Ritter-Brumfield, and I was a year older, also born at Oceanside, CA. Our fathers were both in the Marines, hence both born at Oceanside. We saw each other at family gatherings where he was always very gregarious. He taught me his famous racquetball Z-serve that I used to devastating effect during the 1980s when I was playing the game a lot. FYI Pat's and my father, Jack Ritter, was a champion handball player in the Marines back when they used the small black hard rubber ball, old school, playing inside a huge box at the old YMCAs. I got real good at handball and beat my gym coaches in High School when the game changed to the larger softer blue ball. So Pat and I had a leg up when we played racquetball. Pat met Charlie at racquetball clubs. She was always very competitive also. R.I.P Charlie. John Ritter,
Chris Connell
July 7, 2025
Charlie was a wonderful uncle and shared his love of the game of golf with me-a special game that I´ve since shared with my wife and look forward to sharing with my son. Growing up, I always looked forward to his holiday visits which would inevitably come with a few great new tall tales from the courthouse, and occasionally a hundred freshly minted $1 bills that he´d try and win back in liar´s poker. Charlie made an indelible mark on everyone he met and will long be remembered as a fierce competitor, but more importantly, as a kind friend and family member.
Mark Susson
July 7, 2025
Thomas Loveday
July 7, 2025
Charlie , the fifth Loveday brother , when the old man passed away he made sure that Charlie got 1/5 of his ashes. Some of my fondest memories of Charlie and the old man were sitting around at my brother Kirk´s house talking endlessly , hours and hours and hours of just the minutia and the fine aspects of whatever sport it may have been that we were talking about,the intriguing conversation and the attention to detail is something that I will remember for the rest of my life. Charlie was a little younger than Paul Haber,probably the greatest handball player that ever lived. Haber had the greatest quote of all time for a handball player. "" Nobody beats me unless I want them to " Charlie took that mantra to the racquetball and paddle ball court every day he walked on the court to compete. Under the tutelage of Carl Loveday, the great grandfather of racquetball Charlie was able to achieve a national title at a ripe old age of 35. Charlie loved the old man and all the Lovedays , loved Charlie. His vocabulary was second to none. His zest for competition and a winner´s edge was superb came up with the quotable phrases if you beat somebody 15 to one he got the Twinkie if you beat somebody 15 to 0 you gave him the donut. I saw him play Gale Goodrich in one on one at the old George Brown´s on Balboa and 805 , Goodrich won but had his hands full , and knew it. !!!RIP
Jeffrey smith
June 30, 2025
Charlie Brumfield... a LEGEND....an IDOL...and a FUNNY, Witty MAN. I met Charlie in 1977 when I was working desk at George Brown's Racquetball. He would be at the club daily...telling stories. Charlie also treated us "C" and "B" players like peers. He watched my match when I won a "C" Tournament in 1978, his "coaching" went as far as "HIT HIM WITH THE BALL"!!! He was so Funny!!!! Later years played paddleball with him as many of the San Diego racquetball players went full circle going back to the "roots of racquetball" Paddleball. He was BABE RUTH and MUHAMMAD ALI rolled into one. ONE OF A KIND is an Understatement!!! R.I.P. Charlie Brumfield. Your LEGEND lives on!!!!
Jack Strommen
June 29, 2025
To your Family, sorry for your loss.. maybe his only one...
Jack Strommenh
June 29, 2025
You scared me to death on the court...such talent..
Susan Larson
June 27, 2025
I´m so sorry to hear about Charlie. He was a great friend and step brother. Hopefully he and Jeff are playing golf somewhere
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