Charlie L Hartwick

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

Obituary

With deep sadness, Charles Luther “Charlie / Chuck” Hartwick, 83, a San Jose, California resident for more than 59 years, went home to be with the Lord on August 21, 2026. Born October 22, 1942, in Oklahoma City, Charlie was a carpenter for more than 40 years. He was a longtime usher at Cathedral of Faith, president of the Carpenters Local 405 retirees, and a docent at Gilroy Gardens for 15 yrs. He is survived by Linda, his loving wife of nearly 63 years; children Donald (Melissa) and Dona (Keith); grandchildren Justin, Sara, Jessica and Jason; and sister Esther. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hollis and Elizabeth, and brother Wayne.  Charlie will be remembered for his faith, devotion to family, love of gardening and lifelong willingness to help others.

Before Charlie's passing, he and Linda decided a quiet, virtual remembrance is the right way for us to honor Chuck at this time. This memorial page is where friends and family can share memories, stories, photos, and messages as we celebrate the richness of his life.  We ask for no flowers/plants (kitties might eat them) but welcome cards and, of course, wishes here.

Early Years & Becoming a Builder

Charlie was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on October 22, 1942. From an early age, life seemed to ask a great deal of him. He survived polio as a child and later was struck by a car in an accident that caused him to lose his memory for a time. He recovered, rebuilt and kept moving forward. That resilience would become one of the quiet hallmarks of his life.

He accepted Jesus into his life as a young boy, beginning a faith that remained important throughout his life. For more than 15 years, Charlie served as an usher at Cathedral of Faith. He welcomed people with the same warmth and dependability he brought to so many other parts of his life.

Charlie was, quite simply, a builder.

He spent more than 40 years as a carpenter. His career began with fire restoration work and home remodeling, eventually growing to include responsibility for major malls, banks and corporate construction projects. He understood how things worked and how they fit together. Perhaps most importantly, he knew how to fix them when they did not.

His family knew there was almost nothing Charlie could not repair. The day a repairman finally had to be called to fix the microwave was remembered with something approaching family disbelief. If Charlie could not fix it, it might actually be broken.

That instinct to help extended far beyond his own home. After the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, Charlie grabbed a large wrench and made his way down the block to help turn off neighbors’ gas mains. No assignment. No fanfare. He simply saw something that needed to be done and did it. He was one of the hardest-working people his family ever knew, but retirement revealed another side of him in full bloom.

Charlie loved to garden. He practiced organic gardening and composting long before either became popular and had an extraordinary appreciation for plants, trees and the natural world. For 15 years, he served as a docent at Gilroy Gardens, an experience that brought him tremendous joy. He especially loved giving tours to schoolchildren and sharing what he knew. Over the years, he photographed thousands of plants and trees, creating a remarkable personal record of the things that fascinated and delighted him. He shared that knowledge with joy and enthusiasm.

Charlie also remained deeply connected to the community of people with whom he had built his working life, serving for more than 20 years as president of the Carpenters Local 405 retirees.

A Beautiful Life with Linda & Family

At the center of Charlie’s life was Linda, his wife and partner for nearly 63 years. Their story began years before either of them could have known where it would lead.

They first met in July 1958, when Charlie, then a teenage newspaper boy, came to Linda’s sister’s house to collect the newspaper fees. Linda was just 14. Their paths crossed again in October 1959. Linda was standing outside waiting for a ride when Charlie stopped to talk with her from his scooter. Then life moved on, and several years passed.

In July 1963, they met again at church. This time, something was different. Charlie knew he was going to marry her. And after that, they were never apart. They were engaged in October and married the following month, in November 1963. It all happened quickly enough that more than a few people predicted it would never last. Charlie and Linda spent the next nearly 63 years proving them wrong!

But theirs was more than a marriage that endured. They built each other up. Through the different seasons of life, each gave the other confidence and strength, with room to become more. They raised a family and faced difficult times together. They celebrated the good ones and created a home grounded in faith, hard work, humor and love.

Charlie spent his life building things with his hands, but the most important thing he and Linda built was their life together.  Their family grew to include their son, Donald, his wife, Melissa, and their children, Justin and Sara; and their daughter, Dona, her husband, Keith, and their children, Jessica and Jason.

Charlie took great pride in his family. To them, he was not simply the carpenter, gardener, usher, union president or man who could fix almost anything. He was husband, Dad and Grandpa. He was the person who showed up. He worked hard and took care of things. He was steady, resourceful and strong, and wonderfully himself.

And he had a playful side. Every Halloween, Charlie went trick-or-treating with his children as the family’s secret “Happy Halloween Man.” While the children collected their candy, Charlie carried candy of his own and handed it out to the parents they met along the way. Most never knew his name. They simply encountered a man who thought the grown-ups deserved a treat too.

Build something. Grow something. Fix something. Teach something. Help someone. Make somebody smile.

Charlie lived his life in those acts, most of them performed without much need for recognition.

A Life Well Lived

Charlies final illness came with heartbreaking speed, giving those who loved him little time to prepare for his loss. But Charlie’s life cannot be measured by the brevity of its ending. It is measured in nearly 63 years of marriage and more than four decades of craftsmanship. It lives in decades of service, thousands of photographs and countless things repaired. It lives in gardens tended, children taught, neighbors helped and a family deeply loved.

Gallery

Memory wall

September 2, 2026

I met Charlie at church in 1963. He has been a wonderful friend since that time. I just ave one comment to make ... he lived his Christianity, which is a rare beauty in these days.

Clay Freeman

September 1, 2026

Oh Dear Charlie.. I will miss seeing you and your smiling face at Gilroy Gardens. We were both docents there and shared the love of photographing that lovely park. May you rest in peace and I’ll see you again one day. Just think, you will be spending Christmas with Jesus this year.

Trudy Parks

August 30, 2026

In the fall of 1961, I met a wonderful Christian family, Dad Hollis, Mom Beth, old brother Chuck, sister Esther and younger brother Wayne Hartwick. They invited me to the First Baptist Church in San Jose and provided rides to and from church for several years. I met Linda Spurlock in the fall of 1963 and was able to attend her and Chuck's beautiful and joyful wedding. Chuck and Linda have been more like brother and sister to me. Our children became "cousins" and we enjoyed many birthdays and holidays together.
We always enjoyed music together. I remember Chuck singing with a clear bass voice.
In The Salvation Army, we call being Promoted To Glory as Chuck has been as a beautiful and wonderful event. Much love to Linda and her family.

Trudy C. Freeman

August 30, 2026

Well so many memories with uncle Chuck. I feel I could write a little book on him and his life with my parents and siblings. But I remember when Linda and Chuck got married, Starting life together Then buying property in the Santa Cruz mountains near Ben Lomond, then Chuck building their home there including him telling us ( my parents sister and I) about the bats getting in the structure as he was building, but also the rains washing the road different times and having to repair it but also once or twice him and Linda having to leave their vehicle and scramble over the debris to reach their home. After a while they moved down the street from us ( block or so away) where they later had Don and Dona come to be a family. as they grew later on our families would go on picnics where Chuck would play with all of us kids, but also fetching wayward balls that decided to go down steep ravines then he would scramble back up the slopes after throwing the ball back to us at the top. but he was always thinking how he could improve things for his family. They bought a home in San Jose it had a recessed front door entry there was a plant garden along the concrete walkway between the garage and front living area of the house. Later on he took all that out and framed in the recessed area to bring it to the front of the house, then finished it off to a beautiful entry way when you came in with an office type space where the garden used to be but also did alot of remodeling to make the home better for them. The work was well designed by him, strong but also very attractive with great skills he had you did not see drywall seams where drywall joined other drywall which is very common to see in construction today. but all of his remodeling work in the home was top notch. then he also poured a big porch in the back yard then later added a big bird aviary for Linda to enjoy birds singing in, and taking care of, then his landscaping in the back yard and front yard making it very attractive. but Chuck was very involved in their churches in different areas he served in. he was always ready to give help advise, very good at explaining how and why things need to be done certain ways. Chuck could fix most anything that could be fixed he could figure out how and why things worked but then find the problem and fix it. I was and am proud to call him my Uncle Chuck. I could go on and on he was such a blessing in so many ways to my mom ( Linda's sister) but to our family but many good times when we got together before we moved out of the area. but still he would be a phone call away. You are missed Uncle Chuck but will take care of Linda in your absence. Love you Uncle Chuck enjoy eternity with Jesus and all that have gone before.

Tom Kroon

August 28, 2026

Charles, Charlie, Chuck....but we most often called him Chuckles. What a wonderful friend he was persevering through illness and injuries but always wearing that smile that was so endearing to Linda and his family. We will miss Chuckles and his gentle ways and smile.

Linda and I have been friends since seventh grade in San Luis Obispo. It wasn't too long after we graduated high school that Chuck came into Linda's life. Linda and Chuck married just a few months before Frank and I. The four of us shared quite a few adventures during our 63 years of friendship with the first being our visit to their apartment in the San Jose area...there were so many streets with the same name that it took us a long time to find THEIR street. Breakfast...lightly charred waffles but we all enjoyed them. Later came a visit or two to their house in Felton.

Along came families for both of us (Don and Dona for Chuck and Linda) and Tony and Richard for us) with a few adventures back and forth. Memorable ones for the four of us included a trip to San Francisco. Chuck sure knew the "ups and downs" of the hills and curves including Lombard Street. Dinner in the Chinatown area was a treat for us. Over the years we shared several trips together to enjoy Kenny Rogers, Gaither Gospel group, Phantom of the Opera in San Fransico, a fun trip to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk where Chuck and I rode the roller coaster...I was scared to death so Chuck wrapped his arms around me, fishing at a lake or reservoir and several trips to the Shriners Children's East West Bowl game at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto. Evenings at their house in San Jose were spent playing card games such as Uno. And who can forget the trips to Carl's Jr. in Los Banos so the four of us could chat over a plate of burgers in recent years.

Our families grew up, our parents passed away, grandchildren became our focus. Chuckles focused on the Gilroy Gardens while Linda created beautiful stitchery pictures. We moved from San Luis Obispo to North Fork (Yosemite) but we were still only hours apart or closer yet by phone and computer. Chuckles shared his beautiful flower and landscape pictures with us at every opportunity. He had a true talent for finding the perfect flower to capture in a picture. Chuckles always seemed to have a smile on his face...did you ever see him truly angry?! A gentle soul who was always willing to help you, willing to share wise advice with you and always willing to offer a prayer to comfort you.

We will miss you, dear Chuckles, but know that our Heavenly Father has healed you and taken you Home. We will see you again one of these day, dear Chuckles. All our love to Linda, Dona & Keith and their family, Don & Melissa and their family, Esther and John and all the scattered families who are part of the Hartwick/Spurlock extended family. Love you all, Dianne and Frank Lane, Tony and Richard

Dianne & Frank Lane

August 27, 2026

I'll never forget going trick-or-treating with Don and Donna, and the 'Happy Halloween-er' bellowing out "Happy Halloween!" from the sidewalk after we got our candy. I can still hear his voice. Good times and a great Dad!

Kirk Herbert

August 26, 2026

Charlie was such a special part of our Gilroy Gardens docent family, and I will always remember his kindness, his love for the Gardens, and his photos that he took.

I am the Sunshine Lady and I would send occasionally Charlie a little sunshine from time to time when he wasn't feeling well. It was always a pleasure to brighten his day.

I also authored the Docent Digest, which Charlie was particularly fond of. He told me how much he enjoyed receiving it, and I understand he saved the issues.

Charlie was proud of his 15 years as a docent and of his connection to Gilroy Gardens. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know him, share a few smiles and a little sunshine with him, and be part of his Gilroy Gardens family.

Rest peacefully, Charlie. You will be missed. I’ve added some pictures from our Docent archive of Charlie in the park, as well as some images he took.

Melissa Bennett

August 25, 2026

My older sister volunteered at Gilroy Gardens for her community service hours and came home one day raving about this amazing docent named Charlie and how much fun she had going on a garden tour with him. Well, I was jealous, so when I was finally able to start volunteering, I asked the HR team to assign me to Charlie.

After a few days of volunteering, I finally got the opportunity to spend a day with him on one of his garden tours. There were only two or three families signed up that day, but throughout the entire tour, I was amazed by all the little facts and stories he shared, things our guests would otherwise walk right past without ever noticing. At the end of the tour, he gave each family and myself photographs he had taken throughout the park. I was truly in awe of how much love he had for this small theme park.

The following year, I was hired at the park, and I took every opportunity I could to talk with Charlie about the Gardens and each time he would let me choose a new picture to take. He was truly one of the best souls I have ever met and, without a doubt, one of the happiest people to see at work. Even if we only spoke for a few minutes each time, I will cherish all of those moments from the past 10 years.

Thank you for sharing your love of the Gardens, your stories, your photography, and your joy with all of us. I feel incredibly lucky that I got to know you. You will be deeply missed.

Arlene Duarte

August 25, 2026

Charlie! What a nice man! When I first met him it was in 2012 I think, with Bob Nunes another docent at Gilroy Gardens. We used to volunteer at the park almost every weekend and some during the week. We would see this man, Charlie taking pictures and carring all of his cameras. We got to talking to him and he told us that he loved the park, the kids, and all of the plants. He told us a lot about himself and being a carpenter during his working life. He was there all the time, We asked him to become a docent and then he would not have to pay anymore. He did join the park and for 15 years and 100's of park tours Charlie became a figure as guest would step out of their cars and enter iinto the entrance of the park. He would offer them information, a map and also tell them that there would be a park tour. He came down from San Jose and I always asked him about him wearing his work boots. He had a few new pairs that he had bought over the years. He will be missed by many of the younger kids that were visitors as well as the seniors as he would give a picture of a plant or a flower to them for going on his tour. Charlie you know that I wanted you to get one of the top awards at the park, it just didn't happen. But you know that I wanted it to happen for you. Always in the Gardens with a Green vest, the true volunteer with your rolling chair and oxygen you came. With so many pictures that we have in the docent office and the talks that we had I will really miss you but never forget you. Until we see eachother again enjoy the view watching over all of your good friends. To your family I am sorry for your loss, his memory will out live all of us.
Sincerely, Kevin

Kevin O'Keefe

August 25, 2026

For so many years, Charlie was a familiar and wonderful part of Gilroy Gardens. I feel very fortunate to have gotten to know him and to have celebrated so many of his years of service with our Docent family. Charlie, thank you for the time, dedication, and memories you gave to us. You will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

I will forever treasure the beautiful photographs of the flowers and gardens that you gave to me over the past 10 years. You had such a wonderful way of capturing the beauty of Gilroy Gardens through your camera.

Kiia Mccrossen

August 25, 2026

What a beautiful tribute to a rock-solid man! Uncle Chuck has always been a steady influence since he first joined our family; he let his life shine as a Christian witness -- and his quiet faith was a cherished anchor in life.

With many fond memories of time spent with "Chuck & Linda" and their family throughout the years, from their engagement to SLO lunches at Carl's, he will never be forgotten.

With love to all of the family -- and one day, we'll ALL be together again!

Debbie K

August 25, 2026

I really enjoyed visiting you guys when we were out visiting family in Yosemite. You guys were family too . Time with Linda and Chuck and the kids when they were younger will always be remembered. Love you guys.

Terri Kroon

August 25, 2026

Thank you for sharing so much about Chuck’s life! It was such a joy to hear some things I hadn’t heard and to see how similar he is to John Mark (his nephew). I guess fixing everything, building, gardening and photography didn’t fall far from the Uncle Tree. It is such a comfort to know he is now in Heaven spending eternity after a life well lived here. Xoxo

Nicole Matson

August 25, 2026

Can't thank you enough for starting this amazing family with Linda that I get to be a part of. I am truly blessed to have been able to meet your son and then all of you. Thank you for everything you taught us, the tender moments with the grandkids and leaving an amazing legacy. Miss you more than I can express.

Melissa Hoover-Hartwick

August 24, 2026

Who has mad construction skills? Your daughter does. How did that happen? You made that happen, a patient and kind teacher. I hope God leaves a few things that need fixing, or maybe you are in charge of the heavenly garden. Miss you so much, my heart and head hurts. Keep swinging that hammer, Dad.

Dona Munsch