Charles Robert Stack

1955 - 2023

Charles Robert Stack
October 1, 1955 - May 25, 2023
Kennewick, Washington - A sudden and devastating loss to his loved ones, Charles "Chuck" Robert Stack passed away in the morning hours of May 25, 2023.
Chuck was a legend in the Tri-City community as the larger-than-life pizza king whose quick wit and social charm always lit up a room. His close friends and loved ones will always remember him as giant hearted and generous beyond measure; his giving touched many.
The fifth of seven siblings, Chuck was born October 1, 1955, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Mary and Lyle Stack.
As a youngster, Chuck would save his money for when the fair came to town, then spend all day hanging out at the tractor displays. His love of tractors would resurface later in life. When he was 17, his father was offered a management position with Inland Coca Cola in Billings, so the family moved from Minnesota to Montana, where Chuck met his first wife Bonnie.
Following in his father's footsteps, Chuck's first job out of high school was as beverage delivery driver for Inland Coca Cola. In 1975 he left Billings for Boise, Idaho, after being offered a delivery position with Hayden Beverage and was quickly promoted to draft manager. In 1981 he transitioned to Squires Coca Cola as sales manager, and after two years was promoted to general manager. While in Boise Chuck served on the Boise State University Athletics Board. He was always happy to share the story explaining why the BSU football field is blue.
In 1989, Chuck moved to Kennewick, Washington, "without two nickels to rub together" to pursue his dream of being a business owner. Don Cantrell, owner of Idaho Pizza Company, gave Chuck the opportunity to be a partner in a bankrupt pizza restaurant on 20th Avenue and Court Street in Pasco. Within five years and after many 18-hour days, Chuck bought Don out and continued to develop the Round Table Pizza franchises in the Tri-Cities for another 25 years. In 2019 Chuck handed over the reins to Columbia Industries and became a gentleman rancher.
Shortly after arriving in Kennewick in the late 80s, Chuck crossed paths with the landlord for the Pasco Round Table location. That particular landlord, Gayle, turned out to be the future love of his life and partner of 32 years. The landlord-tenant relationship dissolved into a life partnership full of immense love, endless adventures, constant shenanigans, the best of friends and hard work building their respective businesses.
Over the past few years, Chuck fulfilled his childhood dream of owning tractors and he collected a plethora of implements for just about any project that came up at their ranch. The dickering that occurred while purchasing equipment brought him immense joy. Chuck bargained on everything, and if it wasn't a win for him, it wasn't going to happen.
As longtime members of the Clover Island Yacht Club, Chuck and Gayle had a large boating family. Chuck served on its board for many years, including his post of Commodore in 2009 when he was integral in overseeing construction of the new clubhouse. He was always involved in the club's latest projects and willing to lend a helping hand to anyone. Chuck, Gayle and their family and friends had so many great times out on the water, whether hanging in the mud hole, heading upriver through the dams or just floating. Every year he looked forward to the boat races and captaining an official's boat, a position he was never giving up. In his own way, he loved his boating family.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Gayle Stack; daughters Cheryl (Anthony), Mary (Joseph), Megan (Shane), Kelly (Bryce); brothers Matt, Mike and Gordon; numerous nieces and nephews; and his first wife Bonnie and "husband-in-law" Tim Darland. Chuck was especially looking forward to meeting his first grandchild who is arriving in late June. He is preceded in death by his mother Mary Stack, father Lyle Stack, sister Sharon Stack, and brothers Doug and Don.
Chuck was a "guy's guy" and leaves many best buddies. You know who you are. He cherished you all more than he would ever admit, and your friendship enriched his life far beyond what you can imagine.
The best way we know to close is to share his famous "Chuck-isms." We will all miss hearing these over and over and over again:
"Is a pig's a** pork?"
"Is a frog's a** watertight?"
"Does a bear s*** in the woods?"
"If I can't fix it, it ain't broke"
"If it's free, it's me."
"You can't fall in love with something that doesn't love you back."
"If I were any better, I'd be twins."
"I like my beer cold and gold."
"Don't make that a wasted trip."
"I'm here for a good time, not a long time."
Chuck's celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Clover Island Yacht Club at 4:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Chaplaincy Health Care, Richland, WA or your favorite charity.
Hillcrestfunerals.com