Charles Vernon Lockhart

Charles Vernon Lockhart, 96 years young of Palm Springs, California, passed away Sunday, April 30, 2023, after a short illness.

Affectionately known as “Uncle Charlie,” Charles was born October 14, 1926, to Eugene and Nina Lockhart in North Kenova, Ohio. Charles grew up in Chesapeake, Ohio, and graduated from Chesapeake High School in 1944.  After graduation, Charles worked as a Photo Lab Technician at Bryon Photographic Company in Huntington, West Virginia.

In 1950, Charles enlisted in the US Army and served for two years during the Korean War.  He was honorably discharged in 1952 with the rank of Sergeant Technician (SGT(T)1).  Following the Army, Charles returned home, where he found work at WSAZ News 3 in Huntington, West Virginia as a production manager.  Charles remained at WSAZ until he moved to the Los Angeles beach community in 1958.  He loved living the California lifestyle and stayed there for 45 years.  

Charles worked at Polaroid from 1958 until his retirement in 1989.  He would later return to the workforce accepting a position at Xerox, where he would finish his career. Charles was active whether he was working full-time or retired.  He traveled, enjoyed collecting coins, and volunteered at the community theatre and Meals on Wheels. A lifelong learner, Charles enjoyed reading about history and foreign lands.

In 2003, Charles decided to move closer to family and join his nieces and nephews in Oklahoma.  But California called him back, and he returned in 2005. Relocating to Palm Springs, he would enjoy the warm weather, beautiful mountains, and palm trees for the rest of his life.   

Charles was predeceased in death by his mother, father, eight siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He is survived by family members Bob and Marsha Kimball (Florida), Peggy Kimball (Ohio), Charles and Elizabete Clay (Texas), John Lockhart (Ohio), Dan Lockhart (Texas), Ron and Jean Lockhart (Virginia), Kenny Lockhart, John and Susan Wilson (Oklahoma), Philip Wilson (Oklahoma), Brad and Karen Hartronft (Oklahoma), and Mike and Kathy Gold (Oklahoma) along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life is planned on Saturday, May 20th, at 12:00pm at Escena Golf Club in Palm Springs.  Ashes will be spread out to sea and in Ohio per his final request.