Charles' eyesight began to fail, and he reluctantly gave up driving the car. He refused speaking engagements because he could no longer write his notes clearly and could not read the Bible in preparation for speaking. He did not want to repeat old material as he always wanted to develop something new and relevant. The records from the Braille Library, reading books. magazines. and cassettes were a tremendous source of pleasure for him. He was always keen to keep up with what was going on in the world. He acquired acute diabetes which became hard on him as he enjoyed eating. Limiting him to certain foods was frustrating, but later he refused a strict diet and remarked, "I haven't much time left, let me enjoy it!" So it was done! Joyce had moved to San Clemente to be with him now in the evenings and nights. She was able to secure a position teaching mother and child care nursing nearby at Saddleback Community College. Faith came two or three days and nights each week to be with him during the day and night and Miriam would come Thursdays to chat about "old times" and help him do some shopping. Jean came once a year at vacation times. but her many phone calls were weekly cheering sessions for him. Son Charles occasionally visited. Janet arrived on weekends and holidays so that he seemed to be making up for the many years he did not have his family around him and had the constant care of all his daughters whom he dearly loved. The stream of visitors still continued. One of his neighbors who lived across the way from him once said that he had never seen such an old man who had so many visitors and grandchildren who came to visit him constantly. That was his greatest joy in retirement. For his 90th birthday. his cousin from England, Barbara Salter Wheeler, and her family of nine came to help celebrate his 90th birthday in San Clemente. Family members and many friends came for the occasion which was held in the Fellowship Hall of the Presbyterian Church. As much as he loved being 90 years old (his grandfather died at 85), he was having a hard time with mobility and fatigue. He did a lot of reminiscing the last 20 months of his life, and he did so enjoy people stopping in to pay their respects. He wanted to be sure "his family did not forget him". Thus we have jotted down only a few entrees of this very rich and rewarding life of travel. friends, family and exciting experiences which he thoroughly enjoyed. He loved life. his family. and most especially loving and serving his God in great joy and faithfulness. He often remarked, "It's been good to have lived through it all!" On August 18, 1986 he passed away quietly after a few hours in the hospital, with his children and grandchildren surrounding his bedside and a good-bye prayer by son-in-law JohnLee. 31
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