Charles Arthur "Chuck" Besore Jr was born on October 8, 1947 in Columbus, Kansas to Charles Arthur Sr and Gracie Jean (Sitze) Besore.  The family made their home in Anthony, Kansas and this is where Chuck went to school until the 4th grade.  In his later teens, he attended a boys' industrial school in Larned, Kansas.  Here he learned how run a printing press.  Spending some time in a motorcycle group, Chuck traveled all over the United States.

Returning home to see his parents in Norwich, Kansas, Chuck met Brenda Kay Ely.  Brenda never knew hanging out clothes would lead her to meeting this good-looking man.  The two were united in marriage in July of 1969 and lived in Norwich.  The couple were blessed with three children: Donna Jean, Charles Arthur III, and Steven Ray.  Steven passed away a few hours after birth.  After moving to Great Bend, Kansas, Chuck and Brenda were divorced.

Enlisting in the United States Army in March of 1969, Chuck returned home for a couple of weeks after attending basic training.  He then was sent overseas to fight in the Vietnam War.  After his first tour, he was home for a few weeks before returning for a second tour.  During that time he became a POW and was released in 1972.  Chuck was awarding the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, the Overseas Bar, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Bronze Star.  Chuck was Honorably Discharged on May 23, 1972 with the rank of Sergeant.

Back in the United States, Chuck hid in the hills of Kentucky for several years.  He then came out and sought help with his mental health and the effects of agent orange.  Chuck worked in numerous different jobs.  He also spent time in Texas and California before moving back to Kansas.

Chuck had moved to Anthony in the 90s and then moved to Harper, Kansas.  Reconnecting with Brenda in 1996, they remarried on April 13, 1998 in Las Vegas.  They first lived in El Dorado, Kansas and ran an RV & Boat storage facility.  Moving to Salt Lake City, Utah for a few years, they then moved back to Harper.  Eventually they moved to a farmstead near Attica, Kansas.  Chuck enjoyed spending his time fishing, working on vehicles, and reading western books.

On October 4, 2019, Chuck found out he had stage four lung cancer.  Fighting bravely for four years, three months, and eight days, Chuck passed away on January 7, 2023 in the Attica Long Term Care Facility.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Sr and Gracie Besore; son, Seven; granddaughter, Gracie Burenheide; and siblings: Shirley Johnson, Mary Trollope, and Dorthea Bennett.  Chuck is survived by his wife, Brenda of the home; children, Donna Starks (Ken) of Attica and Charles Besore III (Anka) of North Carolina; stepchildren, Sherry Horton of California and Melissa Mills (Jason) of Oklahoma; siblings: Robert Besore (Rosie) of Texas, Edith Pearcy (Doyle) of Oklahoma, Pat Mortenson (Ellis) of Harper, and Terrie Kraft (Richard) of Wyoming; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Service is 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 15, 2023 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home, Harper with Pastor Tom Walters officiating.  Graveside Service is 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 16, 2023 at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, north of Norwich.

Memorial contributions may be made to Country Care Hospice and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th St ~ Harper, Kansas 67058