Charles Edward Nuanez

July 26, 2013 12:00 am(4) SignaturesMISSOULAâ�,��**– Born a century too late and gone much too early, our cowboy left behind a legend that will echo in eternity. Charles Edward Nuanez left this world in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 24, 2013.

Born in Cottonwood, Ariz., on Oct. 6, 1957, and raised rurally in the red dirt of Sedona, Ariz., Charlie molded himself into a unique individual with warrior spirit who left a mark on most he encountered. The modern-day wrangler had a fierce drive and work ethic instilled in him by his father, Al Nuanez, early on. From his mother, Kathleen, he learned to trust in the Lord through a profound Catholic faith.

Charlie came from humble beginnings, but the certainties of his life rang true from birth until his passing. Like his parents before him, a table surrounded by familiar faces filled with a feast was all he needed to find peace.

Charlie and Suzanne, his wife of 33 years and the unwavering love of his life for the past four decades, moved to Missoula in the spring of 1993. After working for much of the previous 20 years breaking hard rock in underground mines around the West, Charlie served as the president of Diversified Drilling and KLS Hydraulics & Machine Works, a position he retained until his passing.

Charlie grew up the fourth of five children on several sprawling ranches set below the famed picturesque red rocks of Sedona. The son of a Spanish father and an Irish mother, Charlie enjoyed a childhood filled with freedom, red dirt and devoid of outside influence. The family had no television and hardly a material commodity; but the Nuanezes always had enough beans and tortillas to feed anyone. Charlie and his closest brother Tom would spend their days riding horseback hunting varmints and rattlesnakes through a sparsely inhabited valley filled with splendor.

Much of Charlie's youth was spent serving at the Chapel of the Holy Cross as an acolyte, cementing a strong moral compass that guided him throughout his life.

Upon completing middle school in Cottonwood, Charlie enrolled at Verde Valley High School, a world-renowned prep school just outside Sedona. There, he met Suzanne at the age of 14. Their high school years would transform them, providing a global view in an isolated world and teaching lessons to last a lifetime.

While at Verde Valley, Charlie began training under Sean Owen in the art of taekwondo. By the time he graduated at the age of 17, Charlie had risen through the ranks, becoming the first non-Korean male to earn his senior black belt from the Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Federation.

Upon graduation, Charlie took his adventurous spirit and fearless nature on the road. He traversed the western United States, working as a firefighter, a contractor and eventually in the underground mines of Leadville, Colo. In his early 20s, he had risen into management roles, being a natural leader. As held true throughout his 55 years on this earth, Charlie always rose to the top.

In the fall of 1979, a nearly decade-long friendship between Charlie and Suzanne blossomed into an undying love. Suzanne was a student at the University of Colorado in Boulder at the time and Charlie would drive over from Leadville, pocket full of money and the love of county swing dancing.

In May of 1980, the couple was married, beginning a journey filled with adventure, spontaneity and many small towns to call home. The couple's rural life mirrored the one Charlie had known since birth.

From Leadville to Yerington, Nev., to Oxbow, Ore., the neighbors were few, but the love was profound. In May of 1987, the couple gave birth to their first born, Colter Brice, in McCall, Idaho. In February of 1991, Brooks Kelly joined the family, instantly becoming the prize possession of his father and his older brother.

In December of 1992, Charlie earned one of the crowning achievements of his life. He was certified as a fourth-degree dan, a black belt honor considered one of the highest bestowed in the taekwondo discipline. He and Suzanne taught taekwondo for 13 years, mentoring many youths.

Charlie was highly respected in his industry. His Missoula companies provided solid employment for many local families. For much of his sons' youth, Charlie traveled internationally while building his business. He spent time in South America, Mexico, Greece, Turkey, Canada, Alaska and all over the western United States.

Upon arriving in the Treasure State, Charlie's love of solidarity in the wilderness around him brought him a newfound joy. Whether traversing the fields in Conrad or hiding in duck blinds along the Bitterroot River, Charlie was a hunter because he was a survivor. He spent many days on the water surrounding the Garden City and in northern Idaho, fishing on lakes around Coeur d'Alene.

Although he never played team sports, Charlie became a devoted fan of athletics because of the interest and achievements of his sons. He transformed into a loyal fan of the Montana Grizzlies. To see Brooks grace the Missoulian sports page wearing his No. 43 Griz jersey during Montana's 2009 national title run was one of the proudest moments of his life. Later that spring, Colter became the first Nuanez to earn a college degree, graduating from the Professional School of Journalism at the University of Montana, fulfilling one of Charlie's ultimate dreams in the process.

A reserved, private man with a gregarious, vibrant persona, Charlie had a true gift for relating to animals, women and family. You would never see him in public wearing anything but Wranglers, a beaver felt cowboy hat, custom-made cowboy boots and a freshly pressed button-down shirt. Charlie was equally content competing on the golf course as he was to curl up with a good book before sunset.

Charlie was a natural-born athlete, the essence of which he maintained in a lifetime pursuit of fitness, his dedication unwavering. He also took great pride in his ability on the dance floor, a passion he loved to share with his wife throughout their time together. Sometimes you could find him at the gym; other times you could find him sitting in his favorite chair on his Grant Creek deck, gazing upon the beautiful Missoula sunset, cigar in hand.

He was a man of routine, a man of discipline. He taught his sons – the pride and joy of his life and the fuel for the engine that kept him so driven – to always look people in the eye; that all a man has in this world is his word; and to never give anything short of a firm, lasting handshake.

Many people will remember the myths and legend that surrounds Charles Nuanez, a man that, in death, remains larger than life. Few knew him well, but anyone who crossed paths with our cowboy will certainly remember as one of the most profound pillars of strength they ever encountered.

Charlie is survived by his sons, his wife, his brothers Frank (Anna) and Tom, sister Genevieve (Daniel) and lifelong friend Mary Robinette (Bill), along with numerous nieces and nephews. His parents and his older sister, Margo, precede him in death.

A memorial service for Charlie is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at Holy Spirit Parish, 130 S. Sixth St. E., in Missoula.

Read Charles Nuanez's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.