He was not on the list.
Charles Pinkney Halbert IV died March 4, 2013 at Careage of Whidbey, Coupeville at the age of 94, joining his wife Jean in Heaven. He was born February 27, 1919 in Albany, Texas to Charles Pinkney Halbert, III and Mattie Gentry Halbert. Early years on the Clearfork of the Brazos River were idyllic for him. He graduated from high school in House, New Mexico. Charles was attending West Texas State A&M, on a basketball scholarship, in Canyon, Texas when he met Wilma “Jean” Shafer. On April 25, 1942 they were married in Tucumcari, New Mexico.
Charles and Jean moved to Wichita, Kansas, where daughter Sherry was born. They worked at Boeing during WWII. Leaving Wichita, the Halberts settled in Bartlesville, Oklahoma where son Charles was born. Charles also worked for Phillips 66 Oil Company and played on their amateur basketball team.
Charles made his professional basketball debut on November 2, 1946 with the Chicago Stags of the Basketball Association of America which became the NBA during his career. The 6’9” 225 lb. Center played pro ball from 1946 to 1951, with the Chicago Stags, Philadelphia Warriors, Boston Celtics, Providence Steamrollers, the Washington Capitals and the Baltimore Bullets. He averaged 8.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He returned to school during the off seasons to complete his Bachelor’s Degree. During his basketball career, he had the opportunity play against and become friends with some of the Harlem Globetrotter players.
The Halbert family moved to Washington, living in Moses Lake, Spokane and finally, settling in the Tri-Cities in 1967. He received his Master’s Degree from Eastern Washington in Counseling and worked for many years as a VoTec Counselor at Columbia Basin College. In 2001, Charles and Jean moved to Coupeville to be near Sherry, Tom, and family. On April 26, 2007, one day after celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary, Jean went to be with the Lord.
Charles’ passions in life were varied but the two most important things were his wife Jean and his family. Charles was the family historian, and enjoyed recollecting and sharing memories, visiting with friends, and all time great country music. He was a humble, country boy at heart. Some of his other interests included fly fishing, fishing, vegetable, rose, and flower gardening, reading, and golfing. He was a member of the Tri-Cities Country Club and a former member of the First Presbyterian Church of Kennewick.
Charles is survived by his daughter Sherry Asmus and husband Tom of Coupeville; daughter-in-law Donna Butler (Steve) of Gig Harbor and by seven grandchildren: Dana Chambers (Richard), Tanya Asmus, Eric Asmus, Susan Mays (Adrian), Chad Asmus (Kristen), Chip (Sandy) and Jeremy Halbert (Lisa) and by 11 great grandchildren: Ashleigh, Kaitlin, Nicholas and Madeline Chambers, Bella, Fletcher and Sophia Stribling and Chase, Chloe, Charley, Carter, and Gavin Halbert. Son Charles “Charlie” Halbert V preceded him in death.
Family graveside funeral services will be held at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville. Viewing will be held at Wallin Funeral Home on Sunday, March 10, 2013 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. A Celebration of Life reception will be held at Camp Casey BOQ on Monday, March 11, 2013 at 12:00 pm. Please join the family there. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or Help House as these were two of his favorite charities. Friends and family are encouraged to offer condolences and share memories utilizing the Memory Book hosted by Wallin Funeral Home at www.wallinfuneralhome.com.
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