A military graveside service for Cortez resident Charles “Chuck” Haley will be held at the Cortez Cemetery on Friday, October 30th at 1:00 PM. A reception will follow at the Cortez Elks Lodge at approximately 1:30 PM.

Chuck was born on March 16th, 1932 in Texhoma, Oklahoma the son of Beverly Franklin and Althea Ethel (Kidder) Haley. He passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at the Vista Mesa Assisted Living facility at the age of 94.

Chuck moved to the Cortez area with his family in 1940 and attended school in the Caulkins School Building and the “new” high school which is the present-day Middle School in Cortez, where he graduated in 1950. Chuck was very active in band throughout his school years and that is where he met his future soulmate and wife, Marilyn, who was also a member of the same dance band.

Chuck enlisted in the Army in the spring of 1951 and served for three years during the Korean War while stationed at Camp Wood in Japan. Following his discharge in 1954, he returned to Cortez and began his career in banking and in 1955, married Marilyn after she graduated from the University of Colorado that same year.

Music continued to be an important part of Chuck’s life along with raising a family and he and Marilyn were part of a traveling singing group called the “Cortez Choralaires” for over 50 years! They were also both longtime members of the local United Methodist Church choir.

Chuck was always ready to enjoy the outdoor activities available in this part of the country and involved the family in many camping and hiking trips, snowshoeing trips under a full moon, and even climbed several 14,000 foot peaks and hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon multiple times. The family cabin at Trout Lake was a favorite place of his and he enjoyed making many improvements over the years. For many years, Chuck also enjoyed touring all over the western US on their motorcycle with a group of friends and could often be found pulling a small camp trailer on a summer trip.

Recently, Chuck made a list of five significant events that had a great impact on his life that are worth sharing:

• He had great appreciation for having loving parents that always provided for their family during the difficult WW II era

• He had an older sister and younger brother that were the best friends he could ever have

• He married his high school sweetheart on July 3, 1955

• The births and lives of his three sons and the pride he feels having watched them grow up and become good examples for friends and relatives

• The births and lives of all grandchildren and great-grandchildren who he saw as the future of his family and felt that future is in very good hands with his descendants

Chuck never forgot his roots in rural Colorado and was proud to call Cortez “home” for over 85 years!

Surviving Chuck are his loving wife of 71 years, Marilyn Haley of Cortez, CO, three sons, Steve Haley of Farmington, NM, Dave Haley (Lisa) of Tuscola, TX, Don Haley (Lori) of Cortez, CO, by 9 grandchildren, Zac Haley (Erica) of Austin, TX, Eric Haley (Beth) of Brownwood, TX, Caleb Haley (Samantha) of Phoenix, AZ, Karson Wofford (Danny) of Fort Smith, AR, Jordan McAdam (Dakota) of Farmington, NM, Ryan Haley (Emmy) of Cortez, CO, Randy Haley of Pocatello, ID, Sam Haley (DeAnna) of San Antonio, TX, Jack Haley (Mackenzie) of Abilene, TX, and 9 great-grandchildren with two more due in December. In addition, Chuck is survived by his brother, Paul Haley (Kay) of Montrose, CO and numerous nieces and nephews.

Chuck was preceded in death by his sister, Maurine McNeill and daughter-in-law, Tammy Haley