Charles Raymond Lord was born at home on April 7, 1935 to Charles Ebenezer Lord and Mary “Collins” Lord in the small town of Otisville, New York.

While in grade school, Charlie contracted rheumatic fever and was confined to home and bed-rest for nearly a year.

Being an avid reader he excelled in school academics and sports. He was the high school class president; he played the saxophone, and played baseball, basketball and wrestling.

After graduating from Orange County Community College, Middletown, New York, in 1956; Charlie worked at the Otisville Training School as a recreation therapist. He then worked on the professional staff of the Boy Scouts of America, and later worked as a chapter manager for the American Red Cross.

Charlie, with his first wife Patricia, had three sons Charles Jr., Daniel and Lawrence. He coached the boys in sports and umpired wrestling tournaments. Charlie has always been especially proud of the men that Charlie Jr, and Dan have become, and their achievements.

Charlie followed his second wife Sarah’s career to California, settling in Santa Maria. Here he enjoyed woodworking and made Adirondack chairs for sale.

Charles meet Susan Lien when they were active members of the Toastmasters Club, where he held multiple leadership positions and honed his skill of delivering a good joke.

Charlie and Sue were married on May 31, 2003 having a simple outdoor wedding at Waller Park in Santa Maria. Their honeymoon was in an old RV in the redwoods. Soon after, Charlie and Sue lived in a fifth-wheel RV full-time for 10 years.

While Sue was working, Charlie was the “camp socialite.” He loved meeting and talking with people. The most common question he would be asked is “What do you do while your wife is at work?” So, he set up his own company with business cards called “SITMORE and DOLITTLE Company.”

Charlie enjoyed cooking: he planned and prepared nearly all meals.

Throughout Charlie’s latter years he was a liturgist at Christ United Methodist Church, and he enjoyed long drives throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties’ back roads hoping to see local wild life.

Charlie passed way peacefully while at home with his wife Susan at his bedside on April 2, 2025. He was loved.

There will be a memorial service, 3:15 p.m. Thursday, April 24 at Christ Campus of First United Methodist Church.

Visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.