Charles Brinkerhoff

Charles Marvin Brinkerhoff, a Cedar High School driver education teacher for over 42 years (from 1963 to 1995) drove off into the sunset on April 21st 2025 to join parents and siblings in the eternities. He not only drove out; he used his two good legs to run across the finish line, leaving behind his trusty wheel chair that was his companion for the last 35 years. Charles was born on June 19, 1941 in Kanab, Utah, crying and screaming as the 2nd child, and the first-born son to Charles Wilbur and Kathleen Reese Brinkerhoff. He grew up in Glendale, Utah where he tended the sheep, milked cows and attended six years of elementary school in the Rock School House and was known as the "tall one" because he was always a head taller than other students. During his childhood, he enjoyed the foothills, and the meadows around Glendale, where he and his friends explored, hiked, camped, and loved the fresh mountain air. He and his friends got into trouble once in a while and learned life lessons as they had a chicken roast with stolen chickens, had to return stolen items from the candy store, and at times teased the girls. The lessons that Charlie learned from these mistakes stuck with him and taught him to become a better man and devout disciple of Jesus Christ.
In 7th grade, Charlie took the 4-mile bus ride daily to Orderville to attend Valley High School, and start his secondary education. Charlie excelled in Basketball and gained his fame on the court. Summers during high school were spent at the sheep camp and hauling hay. At age 14, he spent the summer alone on Cedar Mountain herding two thousand ewes and lambs with only a tent, a horse, a dog and a camp fire. He made seven dollars a day. At the end of the summer, he turned his pay check over to his mother to help take care of household needs. He graduated from Valley High School in 1959 and he worked that summer at Kaibab Lumber to earn money for his education at Dixie College. Charlie played football and basketball at Dixie College. He became engaged to and married Darlene Heaton on September 3, 1960 in the St. George temple.
After graduation from Dixie College, Charles, Darlene and their new baby, Tracy, traveled to Provo, Utah to attend BYU, graduating in 1962 with a major in Physical education, and Driver's Education. Charlie began his teaching and coaching career at Escalante High School. After one year, he moved to Parowan, Utah to teach and coach for three years at Parowan High School. After Parowan, he started teaching at Cedar high School where he remained for over 30 years until his retirement in 1995. During his time at Cedar High School, he completed a masters' degrees in Special Education and another masters' degree in Education administration. He served as the vice principal at Cedar High School for the last eight years of his career. He enjoyed teaching students how to drive, he laughed at many experiences, and he came home each night with tales of fright as many accidents were avoided. Mr. Brinkerhoff truly loved his association with the students, faculty, and staff of the schools where he taught and the communities in which he lived.
Upon retirement, Charles and Darlene served two full time missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Their first mission was in the Oregon Eugene Mission from January 1997 to July 1998, and second mission was in The Family History Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah from 2007 to 2009. Completing these two missions was the fulfillment of a lifelong goal. Brother Brinkerhoff was a faithful member of the Church, serving as the Bishop of the Cedar 8th Ward, a high council representative in the Cedar West Stake and the University Stake, along with filling other responsibilities in Young Men, Elders Quorum, Scouting, Primary and Cub Scout organizations. He received the Silver Beaver and Extra Miler awards in scouting.
Charles was officially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1990, after several years of health challenges. He is excited to leave this disease behind him and the complications that it caused including the full-time use of a wheel chair.
Charles leaves behind his precious family of whom he is most proud: his devoted wife and caregiver, Darlene Brinkerhoff. His daughters and their spouses: Tracy and Moyle Johnson of Tropic, UT, Tori and Randy Forsyth, Cedar City, Ut, and his sons and their spouses: Tad and Michelle Brinkerhoff of Pittsburgh, PA, Tyler and Jennifer Brinkerhoff, Cedar City, UT, and Tosh and Amy Brinkerhoff of Sartell, MN. At the time of his death, he has 27 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren.
Charles' siblings include: Marilyn and Isaac Johnson, Elaine and Lee Sorensen, Ellen and Dee Sorensen, Lapriel and Lyle Clark and sister-in-law, Sally Brinkerhoff.
Family member who proceeded him in death are: two infant children, his parents, Charles Wilbur and Kathleen Reese, his infant brother, James William Brinkerhoff, his sister Norma Safel, his brother Leon Brinkerhoff and his granddaughter, April Johnson Roberts.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations to the April Johnson Roberts (his granddaughter) Memorial Scholarship fund at State Bank of Southern Utah or the Humanitarian Fund (providing wheelchairs worldwide) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in memory of Charles Brinkerhoff.
April Johnson Roberts Scholarship Fund: Please call State Bank of Southern Utah and reference Tracy B. Johnson or venmo: @tracy-johnson-358
Humanitarian Fund Website: https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services/funds/
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM in the Cedar City West Stake Center, 725 South 1100 West, Cedar City. Viewings will be held Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00-10:00 AM, both at the Stake Center. Burial will bein the Alton Cemetery under the direction of Mosdell Mortuary.
A zoom link can be accessed the day of the service at the following address: https://zoom.us/j/93036623317 (expired)
We are currently working on getting a recorded zoom meeting posted.