Obituary of Chuck Hewitt

Charles "Chuck" Ray Hewitt was born on November 5, 1933, to Hazel Wilmoth and Clarence Hewitt in Webb City, Missouri. His life was defined by self-discipline, quiet faith, and service to others.

After graduating from Joplin High School in 1951, Chuck enlisted in the United States Air Force. Over his 26-year career, he served as a security policeman before joining the USAF 6th Weather Squadron as a meteorologist following his second enlistment. His service took him across the world, including Liberia, Morocco, Vietnam, Korea, the Philippine Islands, the Cook Islands, Iran, and Brazil, as well as numerous locations throughout the United States. The Air Force values of integrity, service, and excellence shaped his perspective on his duties to his country, community, and family. Chuck retired as a Master Sergeant (E-8) and was the proud recipient of three Air Force Commendation Medals, represented by three bronze oak leaf clusters on his uniform.  Following his military retirement, Chuck continued his commitment to service as a postal clerk for the United States Postal Service, where he worked for over 20 years. His extensive travels and career experiences fostered a deep appreciation for coins and stamps, which he collected as mementos of the places he had visited and the experiences he had shared with others.  Above all, Chuck loved his family.

While living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, between military enlistments, Chuck met Gertrude "Trudy" Hix. As an Eagle Scout and Boy Scout troop leader, Chuck took his troop for swim training where Trudy was working as a lifeguard for the American Red Cross. Despite him pushing her into the pool, he asked her out for coffee, and she said yes. They married on June 5, 1960, and enjoyed a loving relationship for 30 years until Trudy’s passing. After Chuck retired from the Air Force, they settled in El Reno, Oklahoma, where they raised their three daughters, Christina, Elizabeth, and Valerie. Together, they shared a love of music, bowling, and playing cribbage and pinochle with friends.  Trudy often joked about Chuck’s stubbornness, calling him "Harry S. Truman" and saying he could have been the poster boy for the Missouri Mules. The nickname "Harry" stuck. However, Chuck’s stubbornness was often exercised in service to others—he was never shy about standing up and speaking for what was right, or about preparing a plan for how to do it best.

After Trudy’s passing in 1990, Chuck returned to Tulsa, where he was introduced to Anita Howerton through lifelong friends Ray and Virginia Howerton. Chuck and Anita married on July 6, 1991. They enjoyed square dancing and traveling together. They were members of the North Eastern Oklahoma Square Dance Association and the Skiatook Scramblers. Chuck and Anita liked to listen to country music together, especially the music of Alan Jackson. They were avid cruisers, taking many, many trips together and exploring the world by sea. They remained happily married until Anita passed away in 2016.

While living at Bellarose Senior Living, Chuck met Gloria Joels, a fellow resident. They married on June 3, 2019, and moved to the Broadmoor Retirement Community, where they enjoyed being in service to their neighbors, by making crafts, and decorating for events and holidays.  Chuck was a central figure in every community he joined. Whether in the military, postal service, or retirement communities, he was a natural leader, always seeking ways to serve others and improve the lives of those around him. At Bellarose and the Broadmoor, he was an active and vocal community member, serving on committees, planning events, and advocating for improvements.

Chuck found joy in life’s simple pleasures—drinking coffee, reading military history and mystery novels, watching PBS, and tuning in to Lawrence Welk, Agatha Christie's Poirot, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune. While traveling, he loved watching live shows and collecting ball caps, many commemorating his military service and the performances he had attended. An avid fisherman, he cherished time spent outdoors.

His devotion to serving others and his disciplined nature were rooted in both his military experience and his quiet, personal faith in Jesus Christ. During the trials of war, he held steadfast to his sense of duty and responsibility. His faith was strengthened by those he admired and respected, and he departed this world with the firm assurance that he was returning to his Father in heaven and reuniting with loved ones who had gone before him.

Chuck passed away peacefully on the morning of February 8, 2025.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel and Clarence "Pat" Hewitt; and his brothers, Ronnie and Jim Hewitt. Also, his first wife and mother of his children, Trudy, and his second wife, Anita. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Joels Hewitt; his daughter, Christina Callahan, and her husband Jonny, and their sons, Konnal and Brendan; his daughter, Elizabeth "Beth" Linson, and her husband, Mark, along with their children, Morgan and Derrick; and his daughter, Valerie Hewitt, and her son, Wade; and his sister, Patsy Griggs.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Chuck’s name to the Disabled American Veterans organization (dav.org/ways-to-give) or the Tulsa chapter of the SPCA (tulsaspca.org/donate/).

There will be a viewing on Friday, February 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and a memorial service on Saturday, February 15, at 11:00 a.m. both at Ninde Funeral Home and Chapel, 3841 S. Peoria, Tulsa, OK with military honors provided by Tinker Air Force Base.

The family warmly invites you to share your memories of Chuck at a reception following the memorial service at the Oxford Park Clubhouse. Please see the Memorial Card for the address.

Ninde Funeral | Mosaic Memorial Cremation | (918) 742-5556 | ninde.com