Charles Lee Eager, 90, of Alma, MO, died Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Good Shepherd Care Community in Concordia.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 1, 2024, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Blackburn with his brother, Rev. James Eager, officiating. Burial with military rites will follow at Missouri State Veterans’ Cemetery in Higginsville. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials are suggested to family choice and an online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.
Born November 6, 1933, in Stover, MO, he was the son of the late George F. Eager and Blanche Campbell Eager. He attended grade school at the Hazel Hill country school, near Waverly, and then graduated from Santa Fe High School in Grand Pass in 1952. Charley joined the United States Marine Corps on January 28, 1954 and was honorably discharged on January 27, 1956. He served in Korea and was awarded with the National Defense Service Medal. He married Carol Sue Strader and she preceded him in death on March 5, 1995. On November 12, 2000, he married Kathy Struemph Duffey and she survives of the home. Charley worked for General Motors for 33 years, retiring in a management position, and then owned and operated Pumpkins and Pines, a pumpkin and Christmas tree farm in Pleasant Hill, for over 20 years. He was a member of Tieman-Blackburn American Legion Post 478, a member of the Masonic Lodge, and attended St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. Charley was an avid bass fisherman and won several tournaments through the years. He was a respected mentor for many young people learning the art of fishing and was never too busy to answer their questions and provide support.
In addition to his wife, Kathy; he is survived by two children, Steven Eager of Fayetteville, AR and Karen Eager of Lawrence, KS; three stepchildren, Kim Owen (Bill) of Alma, Dana Sleeper (Randy) of Blackburn and Patrick Duffey (Tess) of Maplewood; four grandchildren: Billy Owen (Alyisa), Ben Owen, Anna Raasch (Charlie) and Truman Sleeper (Katie); two great-grandchildren, Liam Owen and Scottie Raasch; six siblings: Ola Hoover, John Eager, Rev. James Eager, Marjorie Maxwell, Richard Eager and Michael Eager; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife; one son, Kevin Eager; five siblings: George Eager, Earnest Eager, Betty Heimsoth, Donna Stoneking and Joyce Eager; and one great-grandson, Damien Owen.