Charles Poches Jr.

Charles Poches Jr., 93, of Fort Pierre, SD died Tuesday, October 21, 2025 in Fort Pierre.
Wake service and rosery will be 7pm on Friday, October 24, 2025 at St. John's Catholic Church in Fort Pierre.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10am on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at the Church.
Charles Poches, Jr. passed from this world to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on October 21, 2025 at age 93. Charles was born in Sioux City, Iowa on February 14, 1932 to Charles and Lillian (Phelps) Poches.
He graduated from Sioux City East High School in 1950. While in High School he sang with band and won a city-wide talent contest. Enlisted in the US Air Force, serving from 1950 to 1954. He was stationed in England
serving from April 1951 to May of 1954, honorably discharged in 1954. While in the Air Force he formed a vocal group and toured with an all-star Air Force show in the United Kingdom and all of Europe. The group
placed first in the European contest and second in the Air Force worldwide contest.
After discharge in September 1954, he attended Morningside College for one year then on to U of SD receiving his Business Administration degree Jan. 1957. He continued on and received his Juris Doctorate January,
1959. During law school was on the Law Review Board and president of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity.
Professionally, Chuck served as an assistant attorney general, city attorney for Fort Pierre, assistant state's attorney and as U.S. Federal Magistrate for 12 years. He commenced private practice from 1960 to his
retirement in 2002. He was licensed to practice in South Dakota and Minnesota in state and federal courts and on a case basis in the surrounding states. Chuck was one of the incorporators of the SD Trial Lawyers Association and served as its first secretary treasurer. He represented South Dakota at American Trials Lawyers meetings for them.
Chuck was also active in community service. He served on the board of directors of Head Start, Fort Pierre Development, Optimist president and Stanley County School Board. He also served as SD representative on
the board of the National Trapper's Association. As their legal representative and received a national award from NTA for his service. He organized the Prairie Rattler Car Club and was a member of the Street Masters Car Club. He restored many antique cars, which ended up all over the country, including Switzerland, and enjoyed touring around the states with Barb in their cars. Chuck also enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping, which had done for over 60 years. His articles on trapping appeared in several national magazines. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of St. John's Catholic Church.
While Chuck worked hard professionally and was active within the community, nothing was more important than his family and friends. Primary was his family and family meant the world to him. He enjoyed nothing more than taking trips with his family, so that he could spend quality time, sharing memories and love with them. Friends weren't only those were close, but rather
Chuck believed that it was important to help those who were in need, whether it was legal advice, any other assistance or sharing the wine he and Barb made,
Chuck did it out of love.
He is survived by his wife Barbara of 58 years, children Charles (Tracy) of Portage, WI and their children Jacob, Olivia, Nathan, Allison and Joseph; Warren (Angie) of Rapid City and their children Ryan and Christopher;
daughter Jennifer (Leo) Pitts and son Leo William Warren, of Eagle River, AK and brother Ron of Boise, Idaho. He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Lila Jean Edwards and Doris Mullins.