Charles Harold Innis
OBITUARY
Charles “Chuck” Innis passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on January 19, 2026. He had turned 85 in December. His long and well-lived life let him touch so many lives, leaving memories of his infectious smile and often laughter.
Chuck was born in Manila, Philippine Islands on December 30, 1940. He was the youngest of four sons of David Innis and Frances Prey Boomer. His young life was turned upside down when his extended family of 9 was forced into a Japanese internment camp in Los Banos, during World War II. After 3 years of internment, the Innis family was fortunate to all survive the war to be rescued on February 23, 1945, by the 11th Airborne, United States Army.
Upon leaving the Philippines, Chuck initially spent time with family in Rochester, NY, attending kindergarten before returning with his family to reestablish life in the Philippines. In 1950, the family returned to the States and settled in Berkeley, CA, where he graduated from Berkeley High School in 1958. He then enlisted in the army, serving as an MP in post-war Korea, then being stationed in Yuma, AZ, to finish his 3 years of service before returning to the Bay Area. Unbeknownst to Chuck, he would soon meet the love of his life, Ann Brewer.
Chuck met Ann on a 1963 spring break trip skiing at Badger Pass in Yosemite. Family stories confirm he was smitten after their first date. They were married on June 6, 1964, and settled in San Francisco, where Chuck graduated from San Francisco State University with a BS in International Business. After graduation, Chuck began his professional career with a job at Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in San Leandro. In 1966, Chuck was transferred to Los Angeles. In 1971, he had the good fortune of discovering the Frazee Paint Company in San Diego, where he would eventually finish out his career as a Vice President. They settled in the new community of Rancho Bernardo, where they raised their two children.
Chuck’s spirit of volunteerism and community involvement was a hallmark of his character. He dedicated his time to many organizations including: more than 50 years at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Poway; including being on the vestry and eventually becoming well-known for his role as head usher for 10 years; The Innes Clan Society, where Chuck was the Southern California Commissioner for 10 years; and the board at Redwood Terrace in Escondido where his parents lived. He was also a devoted member of the Los Rancheros Kiwanis Club for 35 years, including a term as president. Through Kiwanis, he was involved in numerous community activities such as the Spirit of the Fourth Parades. Chuck was especially committed to supporting veterans and engaged in many volunteer activities to that end, such as when he escorted veterans from the Wounded Warriors on an ocean fishing trip.
In addition to his many volunteer pursuits, Chuck was committed to supporting his children’s activities and organizing family reunions, including many nieces and nephews. He also enjoyed golfing (especially at the Stone Ridge Country Club), skiing, and traveling. After years of traveling together, in 2018, Chuck and Ann made the milestone of having traveled to 100 countries!!
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and 2 sisters-in-law. He is survived by Ann his loving wife of 61 years, his two children Laura Talavera (Carlos) and Eric (Kristine Rowan) and five grandchildren: Josh, Liza, Rachel, Daniel, and Jessica, as well as his sister-in-law Lois Innis of Nashville.
The family is accepting donations in his name to either Tunnels to Towers (t2t.org)
or the Los Banos Liberation Memorial Scholarship Federation