Charles John Horvath

Charles (Chuck) Horvath passed away peacefully at the age of 75 on March 6th in his family home in Tustin, CA. Chuck was born in 1947 in Detroit, MI to Anne and Charles Horvath. He was raised with his sister, Charlene, in Gary, IN. He was a graduate of Andrean Catholic High School. He was drafted into the Army and served in the Vietnam Conflict as a Ranger in the 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles). He graduated from Indiana State with a degree in Business. He also earned his MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management in Chicago. He then moved to Southern California and met Joanne and her three children, Mark, Heidi, and John. Chuck and Joanne married in 1978, and Chuck became a stepdad to three overnight. Chuck and Joanne soon welcomed their son, Matt, and their daughter, Elizabeth. Chuck and Joanne would celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary this July. Their devotion to one another and deep enduring love is an example to all who know them.

Chuck worked in the entertainment industry as the Director of Purchasing at Twentieth Century Fox and later MGM Studios. He oversaw the company store, travel department, and the Minority Business Division as well. He was the President of the Purchasing Management Association in Orange County. He later worked with Comedy Three, a Three Stooges Company, and other entertainment related companies. It was a fun time for the family to mingle with the stars.

Chuck was passionate about basketball and helping kids. He was a devoted basketball coach, from NJB (school age) to college tournaments and academies. He housed traveling basketball players from all over the world in his home and coached them as though they were his own children. He was loud, animated, and fun to watch while he coached or cheered for his players. Many basketball players regard Chuck as their dad also.

Chuck was a different kind of veteran. He was proud of his service as an Army Airborne Ranger with the 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles), and often reminded us that "Rangers Lead the Way." However, he spoke openly and honestly about the cost of war. He marched in anti-war parades. He shouted and participated passionately at anti-war rallies. He was inspirational in his involvement with Veterans for Peace. He spent many weekends putting up crosses on Huntington Beach and speaking with veterans about their struggles, both visible and invisible. Later in life, he became a certified Veteran Peer Counselor through the VA.

Chuck's absolute greatest pride and joy was his family. He adored his wife, Joanne. She couldn't help but laugh at his silly jokes and under-the-breath clever comments. They went on movie dates every week and enjoyed cheering on the Tustin High School basketball teams together. Chuck was a loving, quick-witted, and supportive dad. "The Dooder," as he was affectionately called by his children and their friends, was a total Dad Legend. He cheered on his stepsons as they ran cross country and his son as he played all sports and especially basketball. He cheered on his daughter as she ran track, coached her in basketball, and was her biggest fan in general. He was a supportive and loving father to his stepdaughter. He was a fun and silly grandpa to his nine grandchildren who adored him. He was a welcoming and loving father-in-law to his childrens' spouses. He was the pinnacle of a great dad to all of his children...nobody ever doubted his love for them.

He will be missed, but he will live on through all those he touched during his life on Earth.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Joanne, his sister, Charlene Martin, and his children Heidi Bertrand, John (Loan) Bertrand, Matt Horvath, Elizabeth (Mike) Poteet, his grandchildren Derek, Shaun, Felicia, Tommy, Tony, Thomas, Jesse, Dylan and Juliette, and his 3 great-grandchildren. Chuck was predeceased by his parents and stepson, Mark.

The funeral mass will be held at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Tustin on Monday March 27th at 10am followed by lunch. The Military committal ceremony will be held at Riverside National Cemetery on Tuesday March 28th at 10:30am. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the burial.

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