After a short time as a salesman, he signed up for the Merchant Marine in 1943 and took the train to New York to enlist. Chuck was very proud of his military service. As a Merchant Mariner he traveled all over the world during World War II delivering wartime supplies including boats and horses. He brought home souvenirs of his travels from ports including Scandinavia, Europe, Africa, and the South Pacific. During his World War II service he earned Service Bars for the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean-Middle East War Zones. He enjoyed sharing stories of his escapades around the world. In 1946, after the war, Chuck returned to his life as a salesman across Missouri and Kansas. When the Korean War began he was again called to serve in 1948 -- this time as a member of the U.S. Army rising to the rank of Sergeant First Class and serving in some of the hardest fought battles of the war. He earned a Combat Infantry Badge and Korean Service Medals with 3 bronze Service Stars. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his service in the 1st Cavalry Division, 8th Cavalry Regiment on February 24, 1951 at Kwongton-ni, Korea. In November 1951, he again returned home to Kansas and his sales career.
In 1965 he met Norene Wilburn Mawson, they were married in Archie, Missouri on July 12, 1969 and settled in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1973 they moved to Harrisonville where they lived until 2014 when they moved to Marshall Missouri to live closer to family.
Chuck worked in sales his entire life, his last job was as salesman for Midwest Glove. Chuck spent his free time doing what he and Norene enjoyed—woodworking, crafting and building interesting collections to display in their home. In the 1970s and 1980s they traveled all over the US, although he was not interested in flying or cruising after his military service. He and Norene spent time fishing at local ponds and Truman Lake until very recently. Chuck was also an avid golfer, active in the Harrisonville City Golf association.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Charles R. and Lena (Page) Blaylock of Onaga Ks and his sister and brother-in-law Blanche and Dewey DeGraw of Topkea KS. Chuck is survived by his wife Norene of Marshall and her children Gary and Debby Mawson of Marshall MO and Janice Mawson of Long Beach CA. His grandchildren and great grandchildren also survive: Kim (Mawson) and Jeff Ullmann and daughter Lillie of Bossier City LA and Brett and Ashley (Phillips) Mawson and children Alicia, Kaulin, and Brodie of Columbia Missouri.
Memorial services will be posted when the information becomes available. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends memorials to their charity of choice.
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