Charles Otis Kanaga

Charles Otis Kanaga took his final flight to the arms of Jesus, 2-12-2016. Charles was born October 31 in Winfield, Kansas to Sterling Glandon Kanaga and Opal Laverne (Walton) Kanaga. Charles was preceded in death by two children, Dan Marshall Kanaga at the age of 15 and Connie Marie (Kanaga) Williams, age 54. Also preceding him in death were parents Sterling & Opal Kanaga, brothers, Laverne and Duane and sister, Charleen. Charles is survived by the love of his life, Cristyal Gay (McKeever) Kanaga, his son, Scott and wife Missy of Grapevine, Texas, grandchildren Jason Williams, Amber Pommier & husband Matt, Aaron Williams & wife Sam, Marshall Kanaga and Anna Kanaga, great-grandsons Jack Williams, Finn Williams, great-granddaughter Ava Pommier, son-in-law Jim Williams, brother Bob Kanaga of Mesa, Arizona and sister Carol Kanaga, of New Essex, Illinois, sister in law, Rajean Kanaga, Derby, many nieces, nephews and friends, dear friend, Hal Martin and caregivers Bobbie and Janetta Whitfield. Charles served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956. He graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield while participating in the Operation Bootstrap program. While at Southwestern he met friends who would later influence his decision to get into the insurance business! He worked at Boeing and Beech for short periods of time before getting into the insurance business. He owned Lightner-Kanaga Insurance in downtown Wichita for many years. He sold the agency in 1988 and went to work again for Beech Aircraft as a technical writer, until his retirement in 1996. At one time he had his contractor’s license, real estate license and securities license. He was a pilot, licensed with single and multi engine ratings. Charles loved music, old and new, old cars and old airplanes. He often joked that Cristyal was the “newest” thing he had. He had a particular affinity for a 1936 Beech Staggerwing, 1956 Thunderbird and a 1936 Ford, 4-door convertible, having been blessed to own all three. He enjoyed air shows, car shows and Southern Gospel Concerts. Charles and his “luvy” Cristyal, enjoyed two Southern Gospel music cruises and many concerts and weekend trips to Kansas City early in their marriage. They loved the 20 years they went to Branson to celebrate Charles’ birthday. Later in life Charles mastered the art of stained glass and completed several creations. Services will be held Monday, February 15th at 10:00 AM at the Derby Church of the Nazarene. Arrangements handled by Smith Mortuary, Derby. Memorials may be made to the Kansas Aviation Museum, Southwestern College or Derby Church of the Nazarene.

Monday, February 15, 2016

10:00 AM

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