By Staff
May 26, 2005
Funeral service for Charles M. "Charlie" Brinker, 72, of Pelham was Saturday, May 28, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Hartselle with the Rev. Harold Thompson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Burial was in Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Brinker died Thursday, May 26, 2005, after a brief illness. 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.
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. He was a member of the American Legion. He was one of the first body guards for Elvis Presley. Since retirement, he enjoyed driving a tour bus.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth Chasteen Brinker of Pelham; one daughter, Jeanette (Todd) Moore of Birmingham; two sons, Len (Liz) Carter of Freepoint, Ill. and Charles (Sandy) Brinker IV of Charlesboro, 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.
Memorials may be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church Building Fund, PMB 212, 9340 Helena Rd., Suite F, Birmingham, AL 35244-1747.