Emerson, Charles Robert Jr.

Charles Robert Emerson Jr., 65, of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, at St. Ludmila's Catholic Church. The family will meet and greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, where a rosary will be held at 4 p.m. and a 7:30 p.m. Scripture service. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Charles was born on Aug. 13, 1947, the son of Charles and Dorothy (Alexander) Emerson Sr. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids. Charles married Virginia “Ginny” Fowler on Aug. 27, 1966, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at St. Patrick's Church. He then was drafted into the Army in 1966, where he served until 1968. He was stationed in Korea. When he returned home he became a journeyman plumber and pipefitter at Local 125. He then was divorced in 1980. He met Pamela Beavers in 1987, and was married 21 years to her until 2008. After 35 years of work he retired in 2002. He then enjoyed spending time with family and friends, fishing, working on his cars and sports.

Survivors include his mother, Dorothy Emerson of Cedar Rapids; his sisters, Monica (Kim) Kuda, June (Bob) Raley and Dee (Al) Gorman all of Cedar Rapids; his children, Carl (Carrie) Emerson of Cedar Rapids, Christa (Aaron) Coffee of Fort Collins, Colo., Kevin Emerson of Cedar Rapids, Chad (Sheena) Beavers of Corydon and Calvin (Heather) Beavers of Cedar Rapids.

Also surviving are his grandchildren, CJ and fiancee Rachael, Kacey, Chance, Emily, Nina, Georgia, Chance, Donald, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Kiana, Paichence and Little Calvin; great-grandchildren, Audrey, Hunter and Brielle; and his best friend, Gizmo.

Charles was preceded in death by his father, Charles Robert Emerson Sr.

Please sign the online guest book for Charles at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 24, 2012.