This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/YEG.2ACIB/214 Message Board Post: Charles M. "Charlie" Brinker Charlie went home on May 26, 2005, after a brief illness at age 72. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Irma Brinker; and his daughter, Keely Carpenter. He was a large physical presence to all who met him, but to all who loved and knew him, he was a gentle and loving giant. He was raised in Charleston, S.C., to a very loving and adoptive family. There was always a smile on his face from the time he was born. Life was always embraced fully and a stranger he never met. Growing up, he developed a love for sports, especially football which he played on several levels. He was an avid follower of the South Carolina Gamecocks, The University of Alabama and the Atlanta Braves. A call to service came during the Korean War and he was proud to serve in the Air Force as an Airborne Radio Operator. A proud American he was to the end and remained a member of the American Legion. Charlie did many interesting things in his life, but the one his great-granddaughter was proudest of was his being one of Elvis’s first bodyguards. Since retirement, he enjoyed driving a tour bus and interacting with many who came his way. No matter what life brought his way, he always found something good in it. His love of God was evident to all who came to know him and because of this, he taught his family about life, love, laughter and generosity to all. He was a loving and generous husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His big smile, his laughter and his giant bear hugs will be missed by all. He was so proud of his family and they were proud to be his family or one of his many “adoptive kids.” He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Ruth Chasteen Brinker of Pelham; daughter, Jeanette (Todd) Moore of Birmingham; sons, Len (Liz) Carter of Freeport, Ill, Charles (Sandy) Brinker IV of Charleston, S.C.; grandsons, Lee Hammons, Chris Hammons, Matthew Carter, Shawn Perkins, Christopher Carpenter, Mitchell Brinker, Dylan Brinker and Hayden Brinker; granddaughters, Heather Carpenter, Debra Walton, Cassie Carter, Katrina Carter; and special great-granddaughter, Hanna Hammons. Funeral services will be held today, May 28, 2005, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Hartselle with the Rev. Harold Thompson officiating with burial in Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery and Peck Funeral Home directing. Family visitation will be today from 9 to 11 a.m. at the church. Memorials may be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church Building Fund, PMB 212, 9340 Helena Road, Suite F, Birmingham, AL 35244-1747. The family would like to thank the staff of St. Vincent’s CVICU and physicians for their love and compassion. Published in the Decatur Daily on 5/28/2005.