Charles Serrano

Charles Serrano, an 85 year old lifelong resident of Santa Rosa passed at his home on Tuesday, September 13th 2017. Charles loved his Family and his Community; he practically knew everyone and everyone seemed to know him. Charles came from a large family and he raised a large family. His life… like all of ours is in itself a story. During High School, Charles affectionately referred to as Charlie started out working for his brother Luis who was 12 years older than Charlie at Luis service station near downtown Santa Rosa. While at work one day a Bank Officer of the First National Bank of Santa Rosa stopped in to fill up his car and talk with Luis. Charlie was presented with a job opportunity by the Bank Officer. It was 1952 when Charlie went to work for the First National Bank then located on the corner of Will Rodgers Dr., and 4th Street in the Historic Stone Building later known as the Town and Country Clothes and now known as the Lake City Diner. He borrowed a shirt and tie from his brother Luis and began as a file clerk, then to bank teller, then to loan officer, then to Vice President, a career that spanned 42 years. He very much enjoyed the banking business and the community which it served. He revered his Mentors, Bank Officers and Board Members of Santa Rosa and Tucumcari such as the Jones Family and Moise Family. In those 42 years a person can foster and hold dear years of friendships and memories, his co-workers over that time always held a special place in his heart. He never spoke unkindly of anyone and again cherished the many friendship made, peoples successes, and memories he often spoke of. On many occasions people would call or show up to his home on weekends talking to Charlie about buying a car or livestock or something about a loan. Almost always he would give them the go ahead telling them that he would get the loan prepared for them and would call them when it was ready. Family recalls that people would people would refer to him as Uncle Charlie, they would run into him and would often thank him for having the faith in them many years ago for giving them a loan for a car or for college. Charlie was dedicated to his community; he devoted many hours of service to civic organizations and appointments to local boards. He along with many local men in those days devoted many hours of their time in the local Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, and Rotary Club. These Clubs and their Missions gave Breath and Life to the Community and Businesses. He served as a board member to the Saint Rosa of Lima Catholic School Board, The Guadalupe County Hospital Board, the City of Santa Rosa Water Board, and the Guadalupe County DWI Board. The Family recalls that strangers would knock on the door at home all hours of the night seeking assistance, he would administer aid to transients providing the transients with assistance they were seeking. In the late 60s he was appointed and served as a member of the Santa Rosa City Council. Charlie was also elected and served many years as a member of the Guadalupe County Soil and Water Conservation District a position he greatly enjoyed. Helping Farmers and Ranchers with conservation projects always gave him great pride and satisfaction. He was extremely dedicated to the service of the community in all of these capacities. He always stressed the importance of a person’s involvement in the community to improve the everyday lives of its citizens and businesses, the value that each and every one has to achieving great things for themselves, their families and their community. He believed that by helping a person was helping their family succeed, their businesses succeed and the community succeeds. He often said that his brother Luis used to tell him if your family needs help or if someone close to you needs help and you have the means to help them, then help them, never hesitate, never deny them! Born August 25, 1932, the youngest of 11 children to Simon Serrano and Petrita Chavez y Serrano, He had great respect and admiration for his brothers and sisters. They all played a huge role in getting Charlie through life after his father passed away while Charlie was in his young years. While in High School, Charlie met a girl from Yeso, NM. He recalls returning from summer vacation in high school, he was with his friend and cousin Horacio Chavez when he saw a sweet girl talking with a friend by the fence, star struck, he told Horacio… I’m gonna date that girl. Charlie and that sweet girl Angela Aragon Gerhardt married on June 23, 1952 in Amarillo, TX. Those early years like many young couples struggled to start their lives together. But with the help and graces from family they began a life together that spanned 62 years. The family grows yearly, starting with 10 children growing to 30 grandchildren to 54 great grandchildren to 2 great-great grandchildren. Charlie has always credited Angela for raising their children and providing for a loving and caring home. A household filled with 10 children posed many challenges. Charlie took second jobs to provide for that growing family working for his brothers Luis and Zolio at their service stations and for Albert (Friggie) Campos at his Restaurant. Treats in those days were very rare and the family recalls fond memories of rare treats that Charlie would bring home to share with the family. In 1995 after 42 years of banking Charlie retired. Charlie enjoyed spending time with family. He found tranquility in the family farm. He prepared several acres that he farmed and mostly gardened for many years. From sun up to sun down, from the first days to the last days of the season that is where you would find him. He enjoyed sharing anything he harvested and the family enjoyed visiting and helping out anywhere they could. Raising animals, vegetables and Chile was what occupied Charlie’s time during his retirement years. He enjoyed visiting and sharing tips with local area gardeners. He loved sports… TV was not TV if there wasn’t a basketball or football game on. Movies, TV series or gameshows he knew nothing about. Basketball was his favorite; he would talk for hours about a team or an athlete. He could tell you what athletes were from what collage and how that athlete may fair during the season and was almost right every time. His darling wife Angela of 62 years journeyed home to our Lord and Savior in January 2015. As Charlie makes his Journey he was also preceded in death by many family members, nephews and nieces, by his parents, Son Albert S. Serrano, grandchildren Francisco Delgado, William Serrano and Leila Serrano, his Brothers; Jose Luciano and his wife Mary Martinez Serrano, Adolph and his wife Margie Reeves Serrano, Simon Jr., and his wife Pita Romero Serrano, Frank and his wife Ophelia Izquierdo Serrano, Zolio and his wife Vicky Garcia Serrano, and Luis who is survived by his wife Dulce Marez Serrano. His Sisters Zulema and her husband Tom Nichols, Eslinda and her husband Espididon Sanchez, In-laws Napoleon Romo survived by his Sister Alice and Antonia Maestas Serrano survived by his Brother Robert. Special Nieces surviving him are Ida Jo Camos and Mary Belle Lucero who he grew up with. He is also Survived by his children, Daughter Bertille and her husband Mark Delgado of Albuquerque NM, Daughter Charlene Urban of Santa Fe NM, Daughter Darlene and her husband Leroy Boney of Santa Rosa NM, Son Enrico Serrano and his wife Lucille of Milagro NM, Son Ferrante Joe Serrano and his wife Barbara of Santa Rosa NM, Daughter Gwendolyn Serrano of Santa Rosa NM, Son Hilario Serrano and his wife Lori of Taos NM, Son Ian John Serrano and his wife Yolanda of Santa Rosa NM, Son Jorge Serrano and his wife Michelle of El Alcon NM, Rosary services will he held on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 10:00 AM followed by the Mass of Christian Burial. Father Antonio Mondragon will officiate, Burial will follow in the family plot at St. Joseph Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are the God Children of his immediate family Jason Serrano, Carlos Delgado, Alejandro Urban, Marka Bonney, Enrique Sena, Sam Serrano, Mario Serrano. All other God Children are his Honorary Pallbearers. All services for Mr. Serrano have been entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa. To place an online condolence please visit our website at www.chavezfuneralhome.com