On Nov. 26, 2010 Charles (Chuck) Erskine Jr. passed away at the age of 87 in Palm Desert, Calif.

He was born in San Diego to Charles and Alberta Erskine. He attended school in San Diego and soon after high school graduation was drafted into the Army Infantry. During World War II, he served as an armorer in the European Theater. He received several honorary medals before being discharged in January 1946.

After the war, he went into the service station business. Chuck met his future wife, Shirley, at that time and they were married on June 7, 1952. Later, the family moved to the Los Angeles area where Chuck worked in sales for the Richfield Oil Company.

After he retired from Richfield, he and Shirley purchased a 5-acre lot in Garner Valley. With the help of family and friends, they were able to build the home of their dreams where they lived for 14 years. Chuck served on the board of directors of a local service organization and helped maintain the area’s horse trails.

He is survived by his wife Shirley; son David Erskine of Upland, Calif.; daughter Ruth Coshow of Portland, Ore.; daughter Polly Watts of Palos Verdes, Calif.; sister Florence Skates of Riverside; and five grandchildren.

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