Charles Latrell Obituary

June 24, 1949-March 4, 2006. Charles Michael "Chip" Latrell, 56, "died with his boots on" doing what he loved, playing Traditional Country Music. He began eternal life on March 4, 2006, due to sudden, massive heart failure. He was born the third of four sons on June 24, 1949, in Schenectady, NY., to Joseph and Eileen Hayes Latrell. He is survived by his wife, Victoria "Vickie", Security; three sons: Charles M. "Mike" Latrell, Jr. and Clayton J. Latrell, both of Albuquerque; Corporal Edwin M. Latrell, USMC, currently serving in Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Africa; one daughter, Airman First Class Amanda M. Latrell, USAF, currently serving at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan; three brothers: Joseph G. Latrell, GA.; David Latrell, NY.; Stephen G. Latrell, NE.; one aunt, Dolly Staniec, and one uncle, Lee Hayes, both of MD.; two nieces: Lorie Bryant, and Sunde' Floyd, both of AZ.; three nephews: Joseph G. "Joey" Latrell, III, Colorado Springs; Petty Officer First Class Stephen P. Latrell, USN, currently stationed at Norfolk, Virginia; Stephen G. Latrell, Jr., Las Vegas, NV.; Andrew B. Latrell, Security; and mother- and father-in-law Edwin and Betty Anderson, Potlatch, ID., (and Yuma, AZ.). He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph, in June, 1992; his mother, Eileen, in November, 2005; one great niece, Sylvanna Leane Latrell, and two great nephews, Blake Ryan Latrell and Joshua Adam Latrell. Chip was raised in upstate New York, graduated from Ballston Spa High School and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1970. He served as a conventional and nuclear weapons specialist at various locations, including: Vietnam, New York, California, Turkey, North Dakota and Nebraska. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant from the USAF in 1990 and began working in home construction and refining his musical style. Country Music was his passion and he enjoyed playing for audiences worldwide. The last four years he concentrated on entertaining crowds in Yuma, AZ. He had many friends and followers and some of his favorite places to perform were Mickey B's, The Other Place at Martinez Lake and various RV parks. He was a Life Member of both the VFW Post 3917, Security, and TREA, Colorado Springs. A visitation will be held for Chip on Wednesday, March 15, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., at Dove-Witt Family Mortuary, 6630 S. U.S. Hwy 85-87, Fountain, CO. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 16, 4:30 p.m., at Pikes Peak Christian Church, 4955 Bradley Road, Security, CO. Interment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO., on March 17. Other services were held Sunday, March 12, in Yuma, AZ. Memorial donations may be made to the Norman C. Bell Foundation for Handicapped Children, 9380 Summer Meadows Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80925.