Obituary of Charles H. Emmett

C.H. Emmett, Sr. (Chuck Emmett) passed away on February 28, 2024, in Albuquerque, NM.  This fabulous man impacted and was (is) loved by many and will be sorely missed.

 

He was born in El Paso, TX, on August 15, 1937, to G.T. (Gabe) Emmett, Sr. and Martha Abdou Emmett, who preceded him in death.   His older brother G.T. (Sonny) Emmett, Jr. and older sister Evonne Emmett Cardwell also entered the Greater Life before him.  He is survived by his son Charles H. Emmett, Jr., and his wife Andrea, daughter Julie Emmett Montoya, and her children Kelsi M. Montoya and Daniel J. Montoya, and his son Michael S. Emmett, and his wife Laura, as well as brothers-in-law and their wives Robert and Jan Smith and Fred and Robbi Baca, and many nephews, nieces and cousins, all of whom he loved very much.

 

Most important of all, he is survived and terribly missed by his loving wife of over 69 years, Minnie Smith Emmett.  This love affair began before high school, when he played king-of-the-mountain with Min and her brothers.  The rumor is that at age 12 she was able to throw all “the boys” down the sand dune!

 

Chuck was a strong athlete, playing starting quarterback for Austin High School in El Paso, as a Junior.  He was also a city-wide Golden Gloves Champion, in his weight class. 

 

But his attention turned fully to his wife-to-be in their Senior year.  Love just would not wait, and they married three days after graduating, on January 23, 1955.  Like their lifelong love song, “Too Young” by Nat King Cole, the early predictions that their love would not last were so truly proven wrong!

 

Another absolute truth is that Chuck loved hard work.  Starting as a boy, he “candled” eggs working for his Dad at Emmett Egg and Poultry, and was always employed through his school years, often with more than one job.

 

Soon after marrying Min, he went into the radiator repair business in El Paso.  He operated under several business names, most notably as Chuck Emmett’s Radiator Service.  He sold the radiator shop to son Michael in 1984, continuing in a components-supply operation until 1995, when he fully retired to enjoy travel and family time with Min, his always business partner.

 

As important as all of these life elements were, the most important thing in Chuck’s life was his faith.  He often told Min that his love for her was second only to Jesus.

 

A cradle Episcopalian, Chuck made a personal commitment to his Savior in 1958 in a small Baptist church that he attended with Min.  The “siren songs” of business and life turned him aside for a season, but in 1973 he rededicated his life to Jesus at a “Faith Alive” outreach at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church in El Paso, fairly erupting in love and faith towards his Lord.

 

This was the season in the early 1970’s when the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit began to manifest in many places across the Earth, including at St. Clement’s.  Chuck was soon “Baptized in the Holy Spirit,” Who sent him to preach, teach, share God’s love, and minister the Gifts.

 

The harvest was strong and steady for the rest of his life.  Many came to Saving Faith, several were healed, including verified miracles, one involving functional resurrection (flat EEG on life support sitting up and having breakfast the next morning).  Demons were cast out.  Life changing counsel was given.  Timely financial gifts were given, often anonymously.  Chuck’s philosophy and marching orders were simple: Get out of the way and let God do it!  He was giving away the Lord’s love right up to his final breath.

 

Now we his family and friends, though grieving and heavy with this huge loss, are celebrating a beautiful life well lived, the life of a Man of God.

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