Charles E. Locke, age 82 years, went to meet his Savior at his home in Poplar Bluff, MO, on Friday, January 9, 2015, at 3:17PM
He was the son of the late Jesse F. Locke and Arminta Locke of Dexter and was born May 5, 1932, in Malden, MO.
On February 15, 1953, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Long Locke at Gray Ridge and she survives of the home in Poplar Bluff.
Charles was a member of First Baptist, Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He was a deacon, served as chairman for two years, a member and teacher of the Angler’s Sunday School Class for thirty years, member of the Sanctuary Choir for thirty-five years, president of the choir for six years. He enjoyed drama and narrations and he played several major parts in the Passion play and Christmas Musicals at First Baptist.
Charles played professional baseball as a pitcher for the St. Louis Browns and Baltimore Orioles for nine years. He won 100 games in the minors. His best season was in 1955, when he won 19, lost 12 with the San Antonio Missions and finished the remainder of the season with the Baltimore Orioles. He was an avid golfer and member of the Westwood Hills Country Club. Also an avid coach of Little League Baseball, Grade School Track and Basketball Coach at O’Neal School. He also coached the American Legion Baseball Team to a State Championship in 1967. He was the first president of the Three Rivers Booster Club.
He worked for Shelter Insurance Company as an adjustor for 37 years. He received the Outstanding Claims Representative Award for the year 1981.
Survivors include his wife Evelyn of the home, son Blake Locke of Houston, TX, daughter Beth Foust and husband Paul of St. Charles, MO. Granddaughters Allie Locke and Amy Locke Loynes and husband Patrick of Houston, TX, and Caroline Foust and Rebecca Foust of St. Charles, MO. and his namesake great-grandson Charles Patrick Loynes of Houston, TX. Also sister-in-law Linda Collier and brother-in-law Jim Long and wife Joyce of Dexter and six nieces and seven nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one son Brad Locke, one brother Gene Locke, and two sisters Jessie Lee Bilderback and Jane Gaebler.
Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday January 13, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff with funeral service on Tuesday January 13, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. with Dr. William Vail officiating.
Burial will follow at the Dexter Cemetery in Dexter, MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home of Dexter, MO.
