Charles Alonzo Colby, age 85, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 4, 2022.  He was the 2 ^nd child of the late Horace Frank Colby and the late Nellie Mae Colby (Arnold).

Charles was born in Starkville, Colorado and spent his younger years in the rural areas near Trinidad, Colorado.  He married his high school sweetheart a year after graduation and they moved to Albuquerque.  He started working for Rainbo Baking Company in 1959 and stayed with them until his retirement in 1993.  He found retirement boring so he worked an additional 5 years with the Teamsters before finally retiring for good.  He loved to fish and hunt in his younger years and taught his children his techniques to catch the best rainbow trout!   Charles was an avid bowler and often enjoyed challenging games with other family members especially his sister, Pearl.  He also enjoyed traveling and visiting with family scattered throughout the United States.

He was preceded in death by his elder brother, Robert A. Colby Sr; his youngest sister, Emma Jane Nicholson; his sister in law, Margie Colby (Robert) and his sister in law Dean Colby (George).  He was also preceded in death by his first wife, the mother of his three children, Darla Jean Dow (Inman).

Charles is survived by his three children, Kelly Goddard (Gregory) of Hawaii, Jack Colby (Mary) of Roswell and Christopher Colby (Nancy) of Roswell; his grandchildren, Chad, Ciara, Jacob, Chelsea, Coleena, Michelle, Deryk, Jonathon, Brianna, David, Christi and Brandon.  He is also survived by his brothers, George Colby and John Colby (Diana); his sisters, Pearl Colby and Peggy Price; 14 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and other friends and family.  Charles is also survived by his wife of 47 years, Sharon Colby of Albuquerque.

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday and Sunday, July 29,30 ^th 2023 in Topeka, Kansas during a family reunion and the family will also be celebrating the lives of others lost in 2022.  The family requests that in lieu of cards or flowers, to make a donation in Charlie's name to the Alzheimer's Association.