Obituary: Charles F. ‘Chuck’ Mabery 1926 - 2013

Charles F. “Chuck” Mabery

Charles F. “Chuck” Mabery

Charles F. “Chuck” Mabery, 86, passed away January 31, 2013. Born in Yuma, Arizona, Dec. 4th, 1926, Chuck graduated from Yuma Union High School in 1944, enlisted in the Navy where he served on the Battleship Wisconsin during WWII.

After the war, Chuck married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Fleming and attended Arizona State College at Tempe. His love of writing led him to newspaper staff positions as sports and farm reporter for the Yuma Daily Sun, editorship of the monthly magazine Arizona Wildlife-Sportsman, and eventually, Managing Editor of the Prescott Courier in 1958.

In 1960 he moved his family to Cottonwood where he embarked on many business ventures in the Verde Valley, including ownership of a Western Auto Store, working for the Verde Independent, serving as an insurance-real estate agent for Leonard Sexton, eventually opening his own office, Mabery and Associates, in 1971 with son, Dan. He went on to manage and retire from Yavapai Title. At the same time, he and second wife, Creta who he married in 1984, began growing organic vegetables on the family’s Cottonwood farm. In 1994 the family formed a corporation and the property became Blazin’ M Ranch Old West Dinner Show where Chuck may be best remembered entertaining guests as emcee and show lead singer there until his retirement in 2008.

Over the past 40 plus years, Chuck’s commitment to the betterment of Cottonwood and the Verde Valley were apparent by the many volunteer hours he devoted. He was one of the early visionaries of Cottonwood, serving on many boards throughout the community, including the Verde Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Cottonwood Progressive Association, both precursors to the Cottonwood Chamber. He served 8 years as co-chairman of the Cottonwood Christmas parade, later serving as its Grand Marshal, and was named VVCC “Man of the Year” in 1965.

Chuck will be remembered as a true community icon, having helped start the Verde Valley Fair and its association, serving as board member for the Camp Verde Historical Society, Verde Valley Manor Retirement Center, Verde Valley Medical Center (then Marcus J. Lawrence Hospital), Cottonwood’s first Planning and Zoning Commission and spent 31 years on the Yavapai County Industrial Development Authority. He spent more than 25 years as the “Voice of the Marauders”, announcing football games for Mingus Union High School until the early 90’s. He also served on the Board of Governors of Yavapai College where he helped establish the Verde Campus and was the recipient of its first honorary degree.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Verna, Dorothy Mabery, and his wife, Creta. He is survived by his brother Richard, four children, Dan (Lori), Rick (Sue Ann), Tim (Glenda) Mabery, Vikki (Rich) Church, thirteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. The family expresses sincere gratitude to the great caregivers and friends at the Arizona Pioneer Home where he resided the past two years. A Celebration of Life for Chuck and Creta will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at the Blazin’ M Ranch, Cottonwood, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Chuck’s name to Yavapai College Foundation by contacting Linda Buchanan at linda.buchanan@yc.edu or (928) 634-6530.

Information provided by survivors.


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