Charles Somma Jr. Obituary

With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Charles Somma Jr. (Fresno, California), born in Oakland, California, who passed away on May 2, 2018 at the age of 86. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Charles Somma Jr. to pay them a last tribute.

Feb 7, 1932 — May 2, 2018 A family gathering was recently held in Sacramento to celebrate the life of Charles Lewis Somma, Jr, known to friends as "Chuck". Chuck passed away peacefully at home at the age of 86 from complications of Muscular Dystrophy. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Linda. He is also survived and by children from his prior marriage, Chuck III (Nancy) of Zeist, Netherlands, Dr. Mark Somma of Fresno, Kristina (Robert Turnage) of West Sacramento, Jon (Lori) of Sacramento, and Kathryn Whaling (Mark) of Canyon Country. He has 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his brother Robert Somma (Julie) and sister, Joan Sparkman. Born in Oakland, Chuck attended Castlemont High and studied anthropology at UC Berkeley. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved swimming, volleyball, softball, and skiing. He spent time in the California deserts rock hounding and enjoyed panning for gold on the Yuba River. Chuck served in the US Navy as an Aviation Electrician during the Korean conflict. He was aboard the USS Hornet aircraft carrier during its around the world cruise in 1954 crossing the international dateline as well as the equator. He was on a team of ex-Hornet veterans who brought the USS Hornet out of mothballs at Hunter's Point to the old Alameda naval air station and raised money to restore it. Chuck proudly served as a docent for years giving tours to the public. Chuck retired from Ameron concrete pipe manufacturing plant but kept busy volunteering with various Tracy Non-profit organizations. Chuck was a member of the Tracy Rotary and the Tracy Sunrise Rotary. He really enjoyed the fund-raising activities in those clubs, especially the Sunrise Rotary's shrimp feed raffles. He and his fellow Rotarians once made a trip to Siberia and delivered much needed medical supplies and equipment to hospitals there. He volunteered at the annual Tracy Hospital Foundation Festival of Trees as well as Brighter Christmas. He was also on the initial fundraising committee for McHenry House for the Homeless in Tracy. After moving to the Del Webb active adult community in Manteca, he joined the Veterans of Woodbridge club where he and his fellow veterans made Veteran's Day Speeches explaining their military service to middle-school children. Memorial donations in memory of Chuck can be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association or Vitas Hospice.