Charles Ivory, Jr.

Charles Ivory, Jr. Obituary Charles Ivory, Jr. was born on November 5, 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio to parents Nettie Mae (deceased) and Charles Ivory, Sr. (deceased). Affectionately nicknamed “Butch” from the time he was a baby, Charles was raised with his younger sister Carolyn (deceased) and his first cousin Hattie. He had a second younger sister, Sharon L. Cummins (deceased). Naturally gifted in math, science and technology, Charles graduated at the top of his class from East Technical High School in 1958. With an affinity for technological systems and working with his hands, Charles ventured out to learn his first trade (at a time when apprenticeship programs were commonplace). He started his career as a lathe operator and went on to become a boiler operator (also known as a fireman, back in the day) at Moses Cleveland elementary school. With hard work, focus, perseverance and determination, Charles matriculated into the electrical engineering apprenticeship program, where he became a certified electrician. With these professional credentials, Charles would embark on his career in the automotive industry—first at Ford Motor Company and then at Chrysler, where he joined the team of autoworkers who manufactured the legendary minivan under the leadership of famed CEO, Lee Iacocca. While working at Chrysler—the company where he’d eventually retire—Charles also started his own electrical contracting company: The Economy Electric Service. As an independent electrical contractor, Charles would mentor young apprentices and received special recognition from the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority police department for introducing young people to electrical engineering. Born an audiophile with a lifetime love for music that he would also instill in his daughters, Butch’s greatest passion and joy in life was his music. Butch gained the most satisfaction and pleasure building elaborate stereo systems – multiple amplifiers, turntables, synthesizers and speakers – and retreating to his basement to listen to his record collection and enjoy the richness of the melodies and harmonies of every instrument. “I remember coming up how I would sit in front of the speaker and he would be sitting on the floor with me and he’d ask me to name every instrument I could hear while listening to symphony music,” says daughter Daphne. “The whole point of that exercise was just to make sure his speakers were working properly, although we know he loved the music.” Butch’s musical taste was extremely eclectic and amazingly vast from Bach and Bruce Hornsby to Led Zeppelin and The Temptations to Enigma and Miles Davis. An avid photographer, Butch was always the one at the cookouts capturing the precious moments with family and friends. A lover of books, Butch had a lifelong subscription to National Geographic magazine and some of his favorite books included “The Prophet” by Khalil Gibran and “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X. Charles Ivory, Jr. is survived by his wife Sarah and four daughters Sherrill Ann Massey (age 64, mother Joan, deceased) Daphne Settles (age 62, husband Anthony, mother Willie Kate, deceased) Betty Ivory (age 55, mother Willie Kate, deceased) and Mable Ivory (age 48, mother Velma Lou, deceased). He has four grandchildren, MacArthur (deceased), Christopher (age 39), Marcus (age 38), and Mikkia (age 35); And a host of great grandchildren, nieces and a nephew. Messages for our father, from his daughters “The music in me is the music in you.” -Sherrill “You can’t know a person through one person’s eyes. It takes a community to see a larger picture. Dad was many things to many people. Each in their own perspective. I love you, too! Dad.” -Daphne “I learned that even with that drop of precious DNA from our father, we (his daughters) have ultimately thrived and developed our own families within communities that staunchly supported us. As a result, each of us is prosperous, strong, and graciously independent.” -Betty “You always used to say, ‘Don’t work too hard!’ I now know what you mean. I aim to enjoy my second half more, continue to make you proud in heaven and really put these good genes to use – working smarter, not harder.” -Mable In celebration of the life and legacy of Charles Ivory, Jr., his daughters have compiled a music playlist of over 50 of Butch’s all-time favorite songs, which can easily be accessed online for your listening pleasure at: www.charlesivoryjr.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles Ivory, Jr., please visit our floral store. Read More

Charles Ivory, Jr.

July 23, 2024