Charles Anthony Rambo

With his fun-loving spirit and love of laughter, Chuck Rambo was the type of guy everyone liked to know and love. A friend of many and a stranger of few, Chuck delighted all with his antics. He was an easy going fellow who treasured his family and was thankful for the camaraderie of good friends with whom he shared many memories and great laughs. With ways all his own, Chuck was ever loving and dedicated, and although sometimes set in his ways, he was well respected. Gone yet never to be forgotten, Chuck will be truly missed. By 1955, the hottest thing on wheels was the '55 Chevy and it was most certainly the shape of things to come for the auto industry while even the mention of the chartbusting hit, "Rock Around the Clock" drew all to the dance floor. At the same time, nearly every American home with televisions had their sets dialed to, "The Mickey Mouse Club", along with dreams of visiting the new and popular, "Disneyland." Yet nestled in the community of Plainwell, Michigan, Charles and Ida Rambo were anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new child in their lives and on February 26, 1955, they lovingly welcomed the birth of their son, Charles Anthony Rambo into their arms. Born and raised in Plainwell, Chuck was one of five children in the Rambo's bustling household. He grew up alongside his siblings, Mike, Kathy, and Doug. He had an older brother, Charles Patrick who sadly passed away. His father supported their family working at Valley Medal in nearby Kalamazoo while his mother worked outside the home for a time as a waitress and once a clown. Chuck enjoyed a childhood typical of his generation filled with boyhood adventures and a little mischief, too! He attended Plainwell Public Schools, but never one for his studies, Chuck had other things on his agenda, like fishing. From an early age he came to love fishing and went on fishing excursions at every opportunity. Chuck didn't like conforming or fitting into a mold. In fact, he was quite the rebel and tended to cause his share of trouble, and he enjoyed it! Even though trouble gave him trouble back, and two-fold, Chuck always seemed to learn the hard way, but it certainly gave him many stories to tell later in life! Life as Chuck knew it settled down a bit when he met the young woman who came to hold his heart. Carol lived with her son, Benjamin who was a little over a year old in the Fountain Blue Trailer Park. Although Chuck lived only a few houses down, it was while visiting a friend who lived behind Carol's place that he came to take notice of her, especially the day she was wearing her little black bikini. As her son began running away from her in the yard, Carol chased after him. Chuck was leaning on his car watching, black bikini and all, and proceeded to whistle at her. Later, Chuck and his friends made a bet to see who could ask Carol out first when Chuck exclaimed rather smugly, "You might as well stop because I already asked her out!" But truth be told, he didn't entirely make it that far quite yet, so he hightailed it over there to ask her out before his friends discovered his fib! Sparks flew quite literally on their first date as they attended the fireworks display celebrating the Fourth of July at Plainwell High School. Chuck and Carol made a good home for their three children, Benjamin, Mathew, and Sarah. He worked at Beach Products in Kalamazoo as a printing press operator until he was injured in an accident at work which ended his career there. He then began doing odd jobs here and there for people. He also could often be found perusing garage sales and then re-selling the items he discovered after cleaning and fixing them. He especially liked buying, repairing and selling CB radios, and he was good at it, too. In addition, Chuck liked metal detecting and anything to do with the military, particularly military weapons. He had a collection of guns and for a while he even served as the commander of the Michigan Militia. Most recently he was into watching Fox News, and in his free time he liked feeding the birds and basically all the little creatures that made their way to his house. One time he took in two stray cats who became accustomed to Chuck feeding them. He favored the black cat he named, Goofy, who always sat at Chuck's feet staring at him, waiting for a treat. When it came to music, Chuck loved his 70s rock, but more importantly to him, there was nothing like a good day of fishing. Chuck continued his love for fishing, especially at Thornapple Lake on his pontoon boat. Chuck Rambo will be remembered for many things, like finding enjoyment picking on people. His love of laughter and bringing a hearty laugh to someone's day was something he thoroughly enjoyed. He was a big jokester and a comedian in his own right, but he could be a little grouchy at times, too. Nevertheless, he always made up for it with kindness. Surround by his family and those he loved was a joy for Chuck, but being in the presence of his buddies, making jokes and sharing good laughs was always a highlight for Chuck. You could always tell when one of his buddies are calling by the way he answered with a big, playful "Arrgh!" like a pirate. It never mattered where they were or who was around, as long as they were together it made for the best of times in Chuck's book. For these things and so much more, Chuck will be fondly remembered. Charles Anthony Rambo, age 63, of Otsego, MI passed away on May 30, 2018 surrounded by his family. Charles is survived by his wife: Carol Rambo; children: Benjamin Korreck, Mathew (Rachel) Korreck, and Sarah Korreck; his siblings: Mike Rambo, Kathy Dockweiler, and Charles Douglas (Judy) Rambo; and four grandchildren: Hayden, Skyler, Elijah, and Zoe Korreck. Charles was preceded in death by his parents; and by his brother: Charles Patrick Rambo. The family will receive friends on Monday, June 4th from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the McCowen & Secord Family Funeral Home, Marshall-Gren Chapel, 120 S. Woodhams St. Plainwell, MI 49080 (269-685-5881). The service will be held on the same day at 1:00pm with a burial at Hillside Cemetery. Please visit Charles' memory page at www.mccowensecord.com where you can archive a memory or photo and sign his memory book online. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the West Michigan Cancer Center in Kalamazoo.