Charles Thomas Kouri

1924-2018

Charles Thomas Kouri was born in Chelsea, OK on August 3, 1924 to emigrant parents, Philomena and Thomas Kouri. He was the 6th of 7 children growing up and working hard on the family farm. Charlie was a real man’s man – a WWII vet that served in the Armored Tank Division. He was activated to the Army Rodeo Team as a wild bull rider. After the army he worked on the Oklahoma Oil pipeline and married Joan Dasher. He worked in the Aerospace Industry as a machinist most of his life. Charlie’s huge heart had room for the love of 4 children that he adopted as his own, for the foster children that would arrive at all hours in his emergency foster care home, for family, friends, and those in need. &KDUOLH HQMR\HG ¿VKLQJ KXQWLQJ JURZLQJ legendary tomatoes and gardening, wine, Lebanese food, card games, casinos but most of all, time with his cherished family. Despite physical setbacks of legal blindness and severe hearing loss, he was lively, engaged with everyone, and had a wonderful sense of humor and a deep generosity of spirit. Charlie moved to SCV in 1990 and was active at the SCV Senior Center ,Q KLV ¿QDO \HDUV &KDUOHV UHVLGHG DW WKH &DO9HW +RPHV ¿UVW LQ ,QGHSHQGHQW /LYing at Lancaster and then in Memory Care in West LA. He lived such a quality life there with the camaraderie of vets, excellent care and engaging activities and trips. Charlie is survived by his daughter, Charlotte Kacmar and son-in-law Ray Kacmar, son Mark Kouri and daughter-in law Carol Kouri; his grandchildren, Mark James, Michael and Patrick Kouri, Fire Captain Jeremy Brandt and his wife Aimee, Jesse and J’aime Brandt; Army Major Keith Kacmar and his wife Allie, Kelly Kacmar and her husband Kevin Bond; and great-granddaughters, Marina Kouri, Annabelle and Alexandra Millie Kacmar, and Ella James Brandt; and sister Mary Ann Holcomb of Tulsa, OK. Beloved nieces and nephews. The family expressed deep appreciation to the loving dedicated staff at the CalVet Homes. Gratitude is also extended to the West LA Fisher House that provides free accommodations to families of hospitalized vets to enable the family to be within walking distance of their loved one. ,Q OLHX RI ÀRZHUV GRQDWLRQV WR WKH )LVKHU House Program, in Charles Kouri’s name would be appreciated. www.Fisherhouse.org Memorial service will be held Wednesday, January 16th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Newhall, CA. 2:30 Rosary / 3:00 Mass / 4:00 Reception. Military honors burial to be in Chelsea, OK in spring 2019.