Charles Kezerian

Charlie Kezerian was loved by everyone who knew him.  He passed away on Sunday February 21st, at the age of 94, with his family by his side.  He was the loving husband of Dorris Kezerian and devoted father to Patti (Peter), Bob (Gail) and Sandi (John).  He was the proud grandfather of 5 grandchildren; Alysia, Courtney, Trent, Alex and Marty. 

Charlie was born on June 24th, 1926, in Charleston, Massachusetts. The family soon moved to Medford where he spent his childhood.  Though it was a modest home, he had a loving mother (Anna) and sister (Sally) whom he adored.  HeAt 17 he joined the U.S. Navy during WW II and spent 4 years serving in the Construction Battalion throughout the South Pacific.  Upon his discharge he resettled in Los Angeles where his mother now lived with her new husband, Nishan Keligian, and Charlie now had 2 new brothers (Leo and Charlie).  They were a happy family of 6 and had a lot of fun together.  He attended the University of Southern California and graduated with a degree in Chemistry and began working at Victor Chemical Company. 

In 1958 he met Dorris Soghomonian, the love of his life, whom he married in 1959.  They resettled to Orinda where they raised their 3 children and lived there through their 63 years of marriage.  Charlie was a brilliant chemist with 25 patents to his name.  He managed a research facility at Stauffer Chemical Company in Richmond, California where he spent a successful 40 year career.  He was instrumental in designing the facility and equipment for this lab where he absolutely loved working.  He was often called as a chemical expert in various international trials and other consulting requests.  He was a devoted and active member of St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church in Oakland where he served on the Parish Council and managed the annual fundraising bazaar many times.  He enjoyed a rich social life at St. Vartan where he was adored by all who knew him.  He was a founding member of the Mt. Diablo Chapter of the Triple X Fraternity – an Armenian non-profit fundraising organization that supports the local community. 

Throughout his life, Charlie had many unique interests.  He was a constant student.  He was a beekeeper, much to the dismay of his family and surrounding neighbors (although he did share the honey).  He studied masonry, which resulted in beautiful brickwork in front of the family home.  He was an avid gardener, known for his abundant crops of tomatoes.  Though he and Dorris loved traveling the world, he was happiest in his own home watching a USC football game with Dorris by his side.

Charlie retired in 1991, but never stopped learning and dove into other interests.  He enjoyed attending Sons in Retirement lunch lectures and even taught several on computers and digital photo editing (a self-taught expertise). 

Charlie was blessed with many lifelong friends that enriched his life.  He was a kind, accomplished, yet humble, man who’s company everyone enjoyed.  His greatest reward in life was his family who will miss him dearly.

Services will be private.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Vartan Armenian Church (650 Spruce St., Oakland, CA 94610) in memory of Charles Kezerian or Craig Hospital Foundation (3425 So. Clarkson St., Englewood, CO 80113) in memory of Charles Kezerian.

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