Charles Walton Brashears

Family-Placed Obituary

CHARLES WALTON BRASHEARS (Chick) 1928-2008 On August 18, 2008 Chick Brashears died in Vero Beach, FL, of complications from Parkinson's disease. Son of Edwin L. Brashears, Sr. and Katherine Field Brashears, Chick attended North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, IL, before attending and graduating from Williams College in Williamstown, MA, in 1950. There he was a vital part of the swimming team and upon graduation, by vote of his peers, received the schools most prestigious honor É that of a gargoyle. Following in his father's and older brother, Edwin L. Brashears Jr's footsteps, Chick became the families' third active naval officer. He accepted a commission in the Navy where he was approved for flight school but as per his request for sea duty, was assigned to the destroyer, the U.S.S. McDermott. Sailing the Asiatic Seas, Chick earned promotion to Ships Executive Officer. Returning home, he worked at the family owned and operated, Drake Hotel in Chicago. Chick began as a bellman in 1949 and worked in almost every phase of hotel operations, from kitchen and engine room through the executive offices. Eventually a second Drake Hotel was built in 1960 in Oakbrook, IL, which Chick operated as President until it was sold in 1985. During Brashears working career he served on a number of Chicago Hotel and Motel Associations, including the prestigious six member, Labor Negotiations Committee, where he held every officers position over two terms, as well as a second term as President. Chick was a member of the following clubs: Casino Club of Chicago, IL, Windsor Club of Vero Beach, FL, Indian Hill Club of Winnetka, IL, as well as Past Commodore of the Riomar Bay Yacht Club, Vero Beach. In 1975, Chick was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation, now headquartered in Leesburg, VA.Chick loved to fish. His reputation as a superior angler and sportsman was carved over many years of active competition in tournaments that resulted in record catches and his national attention. There can be no higher honor or recognition than to be chosen to represent your country in international competition. That honor came to Brashears when he was named in August 1976, as a member of the five man team to represent the United States in the annual fishing challenge for the Sharp Cup, which was the fifth oldest trophy in international sports. The challenge was to fish giant tuna off the coast of Nova Scotia, being named to the team was emblematic of international big game fishing superiority. In 1991, he released an incredible 29 blue marlin in the Bahamas, to win the West Palm Beach Fishing Club's, Beinecke Trophy. Trolling dead bait off Ft. Pierce, FL, in 1998 Chick released 17 sailfish reeling his way to the Tracy M. Schneider Memorial Trophy. In fact, Brashears' name is on the perpetual award more times than any other club member. In the late eighties, Chick met Este Ransford who would become his wife in 1991. They enjoyed a loving and lively union traveling the world fishing and shooting winged birds. Along with Chick's two children from a previous marriage, Charles C. Brashears of Vero Beach, FL and Katherine L. Brashears of Ft. Pierce, FL; Este brought three children to the marriage, Tim Ransford (Linda) of Kenilworth, Illinois, Kim (Robin) Kendrick of Grosse Pointe Farms, Detroit, and John Ransford of Clarkston, Michigan, who were welcomed to Chick's family. One of the greatest joys in Chick's and Este's lives were their grandchildren, William and Elizabeth Kendrick, and now new baby sister, Sophie. Chick was predeceased by his only brother, Edwin L. Brashears, Jr. The last few years had seen a worsening of Chick's Parkinson's disease, draining the strength of which his whole life was so dependent upon. Charles Walton Brashears' life was successful, fulfilled, and complete, and he leaves us with so many tales to tell. A gathering to celebrate Chick's life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer/ Parkinson Support Group of Indian River County, 2501 27th Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32960. Condolences may be sent to: www.lowtherfuneralhome.com To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries