J Charles (Charlie) Knerl, 61, passed away unexpectedly at his home on
December 4, 2014. He was born on March 10, 1953 in Torrington, Wyoming. He spent part of his childhood there until the family moved to Casper, Wyoming.
He graduated from NCHS in 1971. He was drafted into the Army and
discharged in August of 1971 due to an injury prior to his service.
He married the love of his life for 37 years, Sue Ann Galutia in July
of 1977. There was some confusion to the date as Charlie picked it not
Sue, she was never sure if it was the 23rd or the 27th. They enjoyed
many fishing trips to Alcova and Pathfinder, rafting trips down the
river and hanging out with friends. He also loved to take his dogs, Reo
and then Jack on long walks and going out into the country and finding
old dumps with his metal detector. He enjoyed down time with his
favorite cat, Baggy on his lap in front of the computer.
He also loved listening to his favorite music including the Beatles,
John Baldry and Wide Spread Panic. He was learning to play the electric
guitar but had to quit due to growths in the palm of his hand. He loved
to garden and wanted to be a farmer, he loved his old tractor, Bruno
that his dad gave him to use for haying. To him nothing was more fun
that sitting on his tractor, cutting then wind rowing and flipping the
hay.
He spent most of his adult life in the automotive field and enjoyed a
couple of years teaching automotive at Casper College. He enjoyed his
students and made many life long friends there. He retired from Greiner
Ford in 2008 due to a disability and was no longer able to work. He
missed his coworkers and the good times they had there.
Charlie fought and won his battle with colon cancer. After his chemo
and radiation he was declared cancer free. He battled debilitating pain
the last three years of his life.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sue, his parents, Dee and Don
Knerl, two brothers, Mike Trueblood, Tom (Diana), niece Shannon (John),
and nephews Shane (Annie) and Aaron Kudlak (Veronica). Also several
grand nieces and nephews.
I wished I was a rock, sittin' on a hill,
Doin' nothin' all day long,
just be sittin' still.
I wouldn't sleep and I wouldn't eat and I wouldn't even wash,
I'd just sit still a thousand years and rest myself by gosh.
John Baldry
Farewell, mo chroi'
To share your memories of Charles or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.