Our family deeply mourns the passing of our life-long dear friend, Charles.  We enjoyed many years of adventures at our cabins up the White River, in Lake City, the Oregon Coast, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Mexico.  We repeatedly shared beloved stories about our snowmobiling, camping, and navigation escapades.  Charles was always in the thick of things, with a big grin and hearty chuckle.  He fully embraced life with zest and relished new experiences.  He was a premier dentist for which we were so grateful.  He stayed on top of the best practices and loved his patients.  Charles's word was gold and his loyalties to friends and family were evident.  He loved his family dearly, as they loved him.

We feel blessed for the friendship of Charles, DeeAnna and their children.  Our love and sympathy are with DeeAnna, Vince, Vonda Kay, Julie, their spouses and children for their loss of their beloved Charles.   This exceptional family gave their Dad all of the love and care possible during his extended illness.  His memory will live on through his children.

All our love for the Vandiver Family,

Karen, Buck (post-humous), Krista, Robert and Emily Benner; Jordan, Lauren and Patrick Healy; Andrew, Stephen, and Thomas Benner; Howard Fisher

Charles & DeeAnna’s warm hospitality always made our visits even more enjoyable. We have several life-links: our profession (We both graduated from Baylor Dental), our role as parents & in-laws to our amazing kids, & most of all, our sharing of three awesome grandchildren. A few years ago, we met in Grand Junction CO for lunch & some good conversation.  More recently, we have talked by phone a few times & we have prayed for both Charles & DeeAnna  during these difficult days. It was such a blessing to have been friends & even extended family with them. Our hearts are sad, but we know DeeAnna is in God’s gracious care & Charles has “received a rich welcome into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.” 

I worked with Vince for several years. I met Charles & DeeAnna when they visited him. In casual conversation, Charles & I discussed Lake Powell & how much we enjoyed the lake. The next fall my husband, mother and I were houseboating there for a week. The second morning we were enjoying brunch on the back deck when 4 jet skis went roaring by. We recognized Charles & hollared at him. He pulled up to the houseboat followed by his 3 friends (Joe is the only other name I remember). Charles asked if we were drinking my famous Bloody Marys which  we were. Next thing you know, we’ve got seven of us slurping Bloody Marys, telling tales & laughing like hyenas. It became a daily ritual while we were there. We burned through 5 bottles of vodka, at least 9 big jugs of spicy V-8 juice, all my secret spices, lemons, limes & celery. The Meeker crew made 2 runs to Bullfrog to replenish everything we could. 

We got to know Charles even more through the years but we will never forget that unbridled joy & laughter we shared for those 4 days not to mention numerous unrepeatable tales told. 

Charles, you will be truly missed!💕