Charles Ray Stearman, 79, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, (June 15, 2016) at the Life Care Center in Brookfield, Missouri.

Born August 5, 1936 in Kansas City, Missouri, Chuck was the son of the late Omar and Louise (Watson) Stearman. On March 23, 1978 in Brashear, Missouri, Chuck was united in marriage to Diana Moyer.

Chuck is survived by his wife Diana of thirty-eight years; one son and daughter-in-law, Chad Ryan and Kendra Stearman of Kirksville, MO; two stepdaughters, Suzanne Elmore and husband Michael, and Stephanie Jones and husband Michael all of Kirksville, MO; father-in-law, Harold Moyer of Kirksville, MO; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerry and Jackie Stearman of Rockaway Beach, MO, and Richard and Brenda Stearman of Hollister, MO; one sister, Mary Shaw of Kansas City, MO; and seven grandchildren, Chase and Henley Stearman, Mason, Maren, and Mabry Elmore, and Shane and Shafer Jones.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Sam Stearman; mother-in-law, Bettie Gean Moyer; and his brother-in-law, Harold Shaw, as well as five grandchildren.

Chuck was raised in and graduated from high school in Kansas City. He served in the United States Army from November 12, 1959 to February 19, 1962. After serving in the Army, Chuck returned to Kansas City and was President and Founder of (SPBGMA) Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America in 1974. He spent over 40 years promoting and holding bluegrass festivals throughout the central U.S. He was also founder of the band Bluegrass Association in Kansas City, MO. Chuck played mandolin and the group performed throughout the region and recorded four albums from the late 1960's through 1981.

He was a member of CIOFF, which helped promote bluegrass music internationally.

Throughout his life, Chuck also enjoyed fishing, baseball, and collecting antiques.

He was also a member of the Brashear Community Bible Church.

Public visitation will be held Sunday (June 19, 2016) from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Church in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday (June 20, 2016) at Cornerstone Church in Kirksville, with Reverend Jeremy Broach officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow the service at Parkview Memorial Gardens in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Wilburn Wallace, Jim McGreevy, John Bennett, Michael Moyer, Mark Moyer, and Drew Moyer.

Honorary pallbearers will be Don Hupp, Don Haynes, Mason Elmore, Paul Hopkins, Michael Elmore, and Michael Jones.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.