Charles Edwin Voutaz

Charles Edwin Voutaz, 84, passed away on July 20, 2024, at Paonia Care & Rehabilitation where he had been a resident since November 2022. Charles was born August 2, 1939, in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, the son of Frank Maurice Voutaz and Mary Elizabeth Rees. Raised in Delta, Colorado, with his two sisters, Shirley and Sharon, he attended local schools in Delta while his father was the manager of Safeway. He enrolled in Wentworth Military Academy, a private two-year military college, graduating in 1960. He then attended Colorado State University at Fort Collins and transferred to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he majored in Military Science. At BYU, he met Louise Scott; they married October 22, 1962, in Elko, Nevada. 

In 1962, Charles enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Berlin, Germany during the Cold War. He recalled incidents at Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall, including President John F. Kennedy and Robert McNamara’s visit. After completing two years in the Army, Charles briefly returned to Utah. In 1965, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Charles and Louise relocated to Edwards Air Force Base and there, his son, Kurt was born. Charles and Louise later divorced.

During his Air Force career, he assisted in the federal response and recovery efforts during Hurricane Camille, was deployed overseas to Vietnam, and stationed at Hill Air Force Base where he supported the technological development of the Minuteman Missile System and the Space Shuttle. He received numerous service medals and awards including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Retiring from the military, he returned to Delta in 1983 and worked for the local hardware store. An avid outdoors man, his fishing and camping adventures in and around Mount Sneffels and Grand Mesa with his friend June, filled his later years. He was known by many locals in Orchard City, Cedaredge and Eckhart and he could often be found in one of the local restaurants.

He is survived by his son, Kurt (Catherine) Voutaz; two granddaughters, Emily (Steven) Tuckett and Lisa (Hayden) Barker; and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Chandler Voutaz; and two great granddaughters. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Paonia Care & Rehabilitation for their care of Charles. A graveside service will be held Friday, July 26, 2024, at the Delta Cemetery, 1055 E 3rd St Delta, Colorado at 11:00 am. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Charles’ name to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Delta, Colorado.