Charles Smutnik

36 years ago I married a boy. He stole my heart and drove me crazy at the same time. We went on to have amazing kids and a lifetime of memories with our huge family. Chalie could always be counted on to make every birthday and holiday spectacular. The food, the presents and the preplanned thoughtfulness were second to none.

He was with me when both of our children were born. He loved our children fiercely and always called them by the nicknames he made up. Our daughter had a nursery rhyme she loved and her name became puddle duck. Then she loved hats so she became Minnie Pearl, then eventually pearly squirrel. Innher adult life her dad still referred to her as squirrel. Our son was Chase, his sister would steal his favorite stuffed animal, a dinosaur he called boy, after he went to sleep. Eventually, Chase´s boy became Chaseboy. Ashley and I still refer to him as that today. I´ve always said, during his time at home, he was a better stay at home Mom than I ever was. He was always prepared and dinner never came from a box. Baking was his specialty. I often think of all the things he did to make them feel loved and special. He made them swings that hung from the willow tree in our yard. He built them a play house like no other. Chase would often drive his Tonka Trucks through the gravel scooping and dumping just like his Dad. Ashlynne´s DD was the only one who could brush her long curly hair.

I think the hardest part of loosing Chalie was that he is the only person who shares the memories I covet from when our children were very young. I will always treasure sharing that part of our life together.

He was not perfect. He was flawed like the rest of us. But he tried and he loved and he showed up even if he fell short. He enjoyed helping people. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge and he was happiest when he found himself being useful, family or stranger, he always felt his best when he was helping another.

I love you Chal, I will miss you. You are the only other person who ever knew the significance of finding a Mickey Botsy in an old Mustang. Flying the yellow bird. The difference between a Bugga and a Bumbaloo. Most of all why every Christmas Eve had to be at our house and what our traditions were. Thank you for sharing that part of life with me.

Rest Well. We will all be OK until we see you again.

Chalie will always be missed !!! We did not see him as much as we liked but when we did he was always loving to my kids! My boys loved uncle Chalie! I asked Joey what his memory was of uncle Chalie and he said one was him giving him work to do . Which was kinda funny because Chalie was always working hard on something . He would do anything for anyone! Going on vacation to wildwood meant seeing aunt Krista and uncle Chalie when we could! We will definitely miss him always! Best brother in law and brother to Joe!! Joe always looked up to Chalie and has so many memories !!

I could probably write a book here. I met Charlie when he was 16, I gave him his first tattoo with his mother´s permission. Pretty much all the tattoos since. So if you count those hours alone I spent a lot of time with Charlie. But he was like a brother and we spent much more time together than just tattoo time. He helped me do several remodels. His vision was like no other. I would want something basic and he would tell me the possibilities, now with a picture in my head I had to have his idea. He spent my money well. If I was struggling with a certain construction issue he would drop everything and run to my aid. If for some reason he couldn´t come himself, he would send someone he trusted.

My family and I visited Charlie and his family in their Tennessee home. Charlie would cook and prepare meals with a passion. That was the year Dale Earnhardt was killed in the crash. I know this because I was with Charlie when we heard the news.

About 15 years ago I struggled with empty nest life issues. My youngest son joined the Military. The only one of my sons to join the military. I became recluse as I would not see my son for who knows how long, not knowing what the military would do to him, or where they would send him. Charlie would grab me every morning, make me go the gym with him even paid for my membership. He helped me be me again. Without his brotherly love and encouragement, that would have been a much darker time for me.

Our families would get together occasionally for dinner.

Some of Charlie´s sayings have stuck with me. I even made them mine. Like "Pork chop in a bottle" for a beer. I can still hear him laughing. He will be missed immensely. Always in my heart Charlie. Until we meet again. We had some deep talks about Faith and JESUS

Loved that he always had a flower arrangement in the table, Christmas Eve memories and meal shared. And I remember you guys always prayed together in the morning

Charlie. You were one of a kind. I appreciate everything you taught me about life. The dos, the don´ts. How to navigate through that crappy shore town. In the little time you knew me you instantly gave me a shot. From a great mechanic to a very skilled tradesmen´s you were really one of a kind. I was truly blessed to have met you. Ps. I still have that red Honda dirt bike. I will never get rid of it! See you later pal

Krista, my prayers are for you and your family during this time. Robin and I loved Charlie. I´ll never forget the first time you and Charlie walked into Pigeon Forge Community Church and I thought who is this guy, wearing all black and sunglasses, in church Little did I know what a good dude he was behind those shades. And then, when Robin and I came home from being away for several years and I began as pastor of Ball Camp Baptist Church in Knoxville, who do I see come strolling in one Sunday morning out of the blue? You and Charlie. And for several years you drove from Wears Valley to church every Sunday. Amazing. When we decided to renovate a cabin in Pigeon Forge, it was Charlie who pushed me to do it. And he and I worked months getting it ready. Charlie taught me how to face my fear of crawling under a house in the middle of the summer with only inches between us and the floor joists. Those were good days and I gave Charlie plenty of things to laugh about I´m sure. We worked together to rebuild homes in Gatlinburg after the devastating wildfires. I was proud of him for staying on with Appalachian Service Project afterwards to complete more homes. Charlie was a good dude and I will greatly miss him. RIP, my brother.

My big bro was the absolute kindest soul you could ever meet. He loved deeply and was the hardest working man you would ever meet. He was taken too soon but always kept a smile on his face, was positive and full of life. I will miss him and love him always! Fly high brother