Charles Lewis Wells, Jr. (Chuck), a life-long resident of Colusa County, passed away on June 13, 2016 in Woodland at the age of 71. Chuck is the son of Charles Lewis Wells, Sr. (Lewis) and Irene Peterich Wells, a couple that were also life-long residents of the Maxwell area in Colusa County.
Chuck is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary C. Wells; daughters, Jamie Traynham (Jim) and Debra Pennebaker; grandchildren, Austin and Hailey Traynham; his sister, Margaret Severiano of Gold Coast, Australia; and his brother John Wells (Sue). Chuck's niece, Lisa Severiano Davis (Peter) and nephews Luis Severiano (Lauren), Tyler Wells and Scott Wells also survive him and brought him much joy. Jan Pearson and Mariam Sanchez became as family with their patient and encouraging care they provided for Chuck during the last four years.
After attending Maxwell schools, Chuck attended Chico State University where he graduated with a BS in crops. He was immediately drafted into the Army in 1968 where he specialized in field artillery, achieved the rank of Captain and served two years in Vietnam. In 1972 following his discharge, Chuck returned to Chico State to earn his teaching credential.
He began his teaching and coaching career in 1974 at Princeton High School. Due to Chuck's father's declining health, he left teaching to operate the family rice farming business, but continued coaching basketball, both boys and girls over a span of 36 years. His teams won several league championships and in 2003 Chuck was named the league's coach of the year. He played fast pitch softball with the Maxwell Merchants and with the highly ranked Chug Sun Market team. Later Chuck was well known for his pitching skills on several slow pitch men's and co-ed teams. In 2015 Chuck received the Coach's Award and became a member of the Colusa County Sports Hall of Fame recognizing his 40 year playing and coaching career.
Chuck was very focused on his passions in life. Sports, farming, fishing and family defined his world. He touched the lives of so many at ball fields, basketball courts, morning coffee shops, rice farmer gatherings, trout streams, mountain lakes and the Sacramento River. Chuck thrived when family joined him at the card table, in the rice fields, at a movie, in the boat he captained, and at home.
A service will be held for Chuck at the Maxwell Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on Friday June 24, 2016. A reception will immediately follow at the Maxwell Inn. Memorial contributions may be made to the Maxwell Cemetery or to the Maxwell Fire Department for their much appreciated assistance.