Charles Wilson Apgar

Charles W. "Chuck" Apgar

1923-2021

RAMONA - Chuck passed away peacefully of natural causes on February 15, 2021, in his assisted living residence in Poway, CA. He was a resident of Ramona since 1958.  

Chuck was the last of the six siblings born at home to Margaret (Boland) and William Apgar in Omaha, Nebraska, on November 10, 1923. All of his young years were spent in Lincoln, Neb., where his father was a railroad employee during the great depression.

Chuck graduated from Lincoln Nebraska High School in January 1942, then matriculated at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. As World War II raged, he enlisted in the U.S. Marin Corps in 1942 and was called to active duty in April 1943. 

Honorably discharged from the Corps in 1946, he returned to the University of Nebraska, the Lincoln Journal newspaper, and marriage.  In 1947 he married Mildred "Mid" Johnson, his high school sweetheart. The 34-year union bore two great children, Jennifer and Gregory. Mid and Jennifer predeceased Chuck.

A second marriage with Dolores "Dodie" Paine began in 1982 at the Lake Tahoe Resort. The union was blessed with travel, good health, friends, parties, and deep love. Dodie passed away in 2015. 

Chuck got a dosage of printer ink in his blood while attending Junior High School, and there learning the ways of print publishing. His goal was to be part of the weekly newspaper field in rural America. That goal was reached with the purchases of The Weekly Newspaper in Fremont, Nebraska. He sold the paper in 1953 to move to California after stops at newspapers in Pomona and Santa Paula, CA he joined the advertising staff of the San Diego Union-Tribune in 1955. He journeyed through the U-T ranks and became classified advertising manager. After 31 years, he retired in 1986.

Ramona was his family's home base from the late 50s. He was a partner in the Ramona Oaks Recreational Venue, a life-time member of the Ramona Out Door Community Center, (a 4-H Leader in the early '60s) Ramona Honorary Mayor 1990-1992, Life Time Member of the Ramona VFW post 3783; Delta Tau Delta fraternity, President of a non-profit group - for safe Ramona Schools, numerous newspaper advertising associations, appointed honorary admiral in the great navy of the state of Nebraska by then Gov. Dwight Burney, and member of the U of Nebraska alumni. Outdoor Community Center, (a 4-H Leader in the early '60s) Ramona Honorary Mayor 1990-1992, Lifetime Member of the Ramona VFW post 3783; Delta Tau Delta fraternity, President of a non-profit group for safe Ramona Schools, numerous newspaper advertising associations, appointed honorary admiral in the great navy of the state of Nebraska by then Gov. Dwight Burney, and member of the U of Nebraska alumni.

An avid but leisurely golfer, Chuck had been a member of the Warner Springs Men's Golf Club. He was President of the U-T Employee golf group in 1980. He volunteered as a marshal for 15 years at the Torrey Pines Annual Golf Open Tournament and one time for the U.S. Open Golf Tournament.

Survivors include son Gregory, Tacoma, WA, In-laws Scott & Shirley Stovall, Escondido, sister-in-law Ann Apgar, Pomona, Granddaughters Dani Apgar, Tracy Stovall, & Mercede Lindstrom, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. 

He was extremely loved and will be forever remembered.

Services will be held on February 23 at Ramona Nuevo Garden's Cemetery at 10 am.

Bonham Bros & Stewart Mortuary and Cremation Service is assisting the family.

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