Charlie Marvin Head – WWII Army Air Corps Veteran

Charlie Marvin Head died on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008 after several
months of declining health. He was born on Feb. 25, 1918 in Dublin,
Texas to Lee Roy and Audie Head. His parents, three brothers and
two sisters preceded him in death. The Head family made their way
to California in 1937 where they worked in the crops of the Central
Valley. When World War II broke out, Charlie joined the Army Air
Corps as an Aircraft Mechanic, dreaming of becoming a pilot. In
1944, Charlie met and married his lifelong love, Mary Lou. After
the War, they settled in Modesto as tenant farmers and started
their family, then moved to a Santa Rosa ranch in 1950. Charlie
opened a Flying ’ÄúA’Äù Gas Station in 1956 at Mendocino and Steele
Lane. He offered full service and repaired bikes for neighborhood
kids who later became his employees. When ’Äúself serve’Äù became
popular in the late ’Äò70s, Charlie opened an auto repair shop.
Charlie pursued his love of flying as an aircraft mechanic at
Dragonfly Aviation. He rebuilt his own plane that he flew to
Barrow, Alaska. He and Mary Lou also drove their van and trailer
throughout the U.S. and Canada. Charlie was a member of Empire Aero
Club, Circles & Squares Square Dance Club and Knox Presbyterian
Church. Charlie loved to learn new things, meet new people and
served others gladly and with integrity. Charlie is survived by his
wife of 63 years, Mary Lou; children, Barbara and Bill Splaine
(Healdsburg), Stephen Head (Trout Lake, Washington), David Head
(Windsor), Paul and Carol Head (Lincoln University, Pennsylvania);
nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and Brother, Walter
Kay Head (Porterville). A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m.
on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at Knox Presbyterian Church. In lieu of
flowers the family requests donations to Knox Presbyterian Church,
1650 W. 3rd St., Santa Rosa, 95401, or Sonoma County Regional
Parks, 2300 County Center Dr, Suite A-120, Santa Rosa, 95403.