Charles Maxwell ‘C-Max’ Keys passed May 24, 2017, at the Stanford Court Nursing Center in Santee, California. He fought several medical complications beginning April 15th and he passed peacefully.
Charlie was born on September 8, 1928, in Clarendon. His childhood friends called him Charlie Max. He attended the University of Texas where he and his friends (“The SRD Darkhorses”) worked in the girl’s dorms waiting tables. Stories are still shared to this day…he considered it “the best job a young lad could luck into.” Charlie was in the USAF in 1951 during the Korean conflict, through mid-1956. He graduated from pilot training in 1952 flying in the Air Defense Command throughout his active duty. He continued his aviation interest with 31 years in aerospace at the Convair Division of General Dynamics in San Diego. He also received a bachelor’s degree from SDSU and an MBA from Pepperdine University. In his retirement with wife Alice (“Bug”), he was active with travel and RV club activities. He maintained too many friendships all over the country for anyone to possibly comprehend, a workout schedule most 30 year olds couldn’t manage, hosted Christmas and 4th of July parties almost every year, and spread love and assistance to others beyond his means. Charlie once said, “I realize what a wonderful country we live in and what a wonderful life we have been allowed to live.”
Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Alice, and sister Mary N. Johnson.
He is survived by his daughter Mary, grandson Robert and his wife Lori, as well as Max, Robert and Lori’s French Bulldog and Charlie’s namesake whom he loved very much.
Charlie will join Bug and be inurned at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on June 15th at 10:30 a.m. Those attending must meet by 10:00 a.m. at the flag and sign in at the office. A casual friends and family reception will follow at another location.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor him are asked to raise a glass in his name (Chin Don, as he would say), or donate to a charity of their choice if they so choose.
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