Charles F. Youngker, Rest in Peace Friend

Charles Francis Youngker, 87, passed away on January 7th, 2008. Charles was born on June 7th 1920, in Phoenix, Arizona, son of Benjamin Franklin Youngker Sr. and Lillian Meeker Youngker. He spent his early childhood in Phoenix and attended Emerson Grammar School for five years. His mother died in 1928. Soon after, he and his brother were sent to live on a farm in Iowa with family friends, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Tarr. He finished grammar and high school in Morovia, Iowa, where he attained the rank of Life Scout. Charles matriculated at Cornell College of Iowa in Mount Vernon, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics. After college in 1942, Charles moved back to Arizona and began the start of a long and successful career in agriculture. Charles started at the bottom - as a common laborer in helping his father develop raw desert land into productive farmland. Charles looked back to the development of new land as one of the greatest thrills of his career. "Developing new land, turning the raw desert into production, is a real challenge," he said. "It involves drilling wells, surveying, digging ditches, installing power lines, leveling the soil, putting in pumps; and finally the real thrill of planting the first seed and harvesting the first crop." His hard work and dedication enabled him to accomplish what must have seemed, at times, an impossible dream. As a result of his vast contributions, many people feel the cotton industry and Charles Youngker are synonymous. For over six decades he farmed in Buckeye, Rainbow Valley and Arlington, Arizona. Even while spending long hours running his agribusiness, he found time to lend his expertise to other people in his industry. He was a past president and twenty-eight year member of the Roosevelt Irrigation Board of Directors, past President and twenty year member of the Rainbow Valley Irrigation Board of Directors, President of the Oscar Johnson Foundation (an arm of the National Cotton Council), Past President and Chairman of the Board of the Arizona Cotton Growers Association, and President of the National Cotton Council and Chairman of the Board. Charles also served his community by being a founding member of the Buckeye Community Church; past President and sixteen year member of the Buckeye Union High School Board of Education; a past Grand Master of the Arizona Independent Order of Odd Fellows and an officer in the organization's Sovereign Grand Lodge; a former President of the Buckeye Chamber of Commerce; member of the Board of Trustees of Cornell College of Iowa, his alma mater, where he was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award. Charles also gave back to his community by building the Steven Youngker Tennis Center on the campus of Grand Canyon College, the Madelyn Youngker Learning Center at Grace Fellowship Church, and the Youngker Hall at Cornell College in Iowa. He has received numerous rewards for his leadership and community service including: the Buckeye Lions Club Outstanding Community Leader, University of Arizona Lifetime Achievement Award, Harry S. Baker Award in honor of extraordinary service and leadership which led to the advancement of the United States Cotton Industry. Charles was preceded in death by his college sweetheart and wife of thirty-eight years, Madelyn Youngker, his son Steven Youngker, and his brother Ben Youngker. He is survived by his wife Virginia Youngker; stepmother, Martha Jane Youngker; son, Chuck Youngker (Virginia); daughter Susan Truax (Dave); Adult Children by marriage Susan Ovel (Steve); Lisa Williams (Dean); Lori Swift (Jim); and Jeff Weih (Phyllis); thirteen grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren. The Viewing will be held on Thursday, January 10th at 3:00 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, at 13658 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West, Arizona, 85375. A Memorial Service will follow the Viewing at 4:00. The funeral will be held on Friday, January 11, at 1:00p.m. at Grace Fellowship Church, 1300 N. Miller Rd., Buckeye, Arizona 85326. Arrangements entrusted to Sunland Mortuary.