“Chuck made square dancing fun and Eda Mae was always there to greet everyone.”

In loving memory

Chuck & Eda Mae Meyer

Charles "Chuck" Meyer Jr.

January 8, 1930 to January 4, 2016

Eda Mae Meyer

July 10, 1937 to August 29, 2026

Their story

From a gas station in Farmington to over sixty years together and four kids. And a lot of square dances.

Chuck was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Eda Mae grew up in Cortez, Colorado, seven years younger and at least as quick. They met in Farmington, New Mexico, where Chuck owned a gas station and Eda Mae kept stopping in, perhaps more often than her car needed.

They were married for 60 years. They raised their four children in Arizona: Marilyn, Chris, Tracy and Terrie. Chuck spent 30 years with the El Paso Natural Gas Company and 50 calling square dances across the Valley and Sun City.

Chuck died in January 2016, just after their 60th anniversary. Eda Mae followed in August 2026.

1930 to 2016

Chuck

Known as Chuck, or Sonny, depending on how long you'd known him.

Charles Meyer Jr. was born January 8, 1930 in Las Vegas, New Mexico, to Charles Sr. and Eloisa Meyer. He went to high school and college there, then joined the Army. He spent 30 years with the El Paso Natural Gas Company in Arizona.

His passion was square dance calling. He called for 50 years across the Valley and Sun City, and he was the kind of caller who would stop mid-dance to help someone get the step. He died at home on January 4, 2016, with his family around him, not long after his 60th wedding anniversary.

Read the full obituary

Charles Meyer Jr. passed away on January 4, 2016 at home surrounded by his family. Charles, also known as "Chuck" or "Sonny," was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico on January 8, 1930 to Charles Meyer Sr. and Eloisa Meyer. He attended high school and college in Las Vegas, New Mexico and later joined the Army. He worked for the El Paso Natural Gas Company in Arizona for 30 years and recently celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary with his wife, Eda Mae Meyer. Charles' passion was square dance calling and was a caller for 50 years throughout the Valley and Sun City.

Charles was preceded in death by his sister, Connie Chouinard. He is survived by his sister Marian Ackerman from Las Vegas New Mexico, brother Julius Meyer from Albuquerque New Mexico, wife Eda Mae Meyer, daughter Marilyn Kim Meyer, son Chris Meyer, and his daughters and their husbands, Tracy and Chris Frost and Terrie and Manny Marroquin. Chuck had four grandchildren, Laysie Valdivia and her husband Zach, Matias Marroquin and Antonio Marroquin, and Nick Frost, as well as two great-grand-children, Kash Valdivia and Dezmon Valdivia. He is also survived by his dog, Bossy.

Read the speech from his celebration of life

Thank you for coming, today we honor Chuck Meyer by profoundly feeling and expressing our loss, but also by remembering what an amazing person he was, and who has played a unique and special role in all of our lives. He lived his life to the fullest and touched so many people during his time here with us. We all have memories that we will carry with us – memories that defined my Dad, memories that we will all always hold dear.

Allow me to share some of the special memories that we, my sisters and brother, have of our Dad: He was a father that taught us about how important family is – he was the happiest when was surrounded by his family. He had a very strong work ethic and taught us about how to go after our dreams and work hard for it He lived a principled life he didn’t waiver from right and wrong He taught us to have compassion for others To have fun, laugh and enjoy each other

Our father was much more than our father, he was a grandfather, a great grandfather, a brother, an uncle, a godfather, a husband that worked hard to provide for his family, a friend and a square dance caller which soon turned into his passion. He had many great friends through his life as a caller, some of you are here today to celebrate his memories with us. When we were little we thought of him as a singer, he made a few of his own records and he would practice in his music room, and we all enjoyed watching him sing because we knew how much he loved it. Before the teenage years hit we also square danced in one of his clubs.

I know it was a love of his as he would sing parts of a song in the hospital and loved to listen to music. So you know he is up in heaven calling and singing.

He always had a spirit of life and fought to the very end. He had his tough moments but always managed to crack a joke. We will cherish the memories and I know he is watching over all of us and showing us uplifting signs when we need them the most.

1937 to 2026

Eda Mae

Funny, sarcastic, and never once caught without a comeback.

Eda Mae Arnell was born July 10, 1937 to Carl and Vera Arnell and grew up in Cortez, Colorado, where everyone called her Edie. At Montezuma County High School she played in the band, took shorthand, and sometimes went to class.

She moved to Farmington, New Mexico, where she met Chuck, and they were married for 60 years. She died at home on August 29, 2026, with her family around her.

On her last day, a hospice nurse came in to check whether she had been eating. "How do you eat?" the nurse asked. Eda Mae could hardly talk by then. She gave it a beat, then: "With my hands."

That was her, right to the end.

Read the full obituary

Eda Mae Meyer passed away on August 29, 2026 at home, surrounded by her family. She was 89.

Eda Mae was born on July 10, 1937 to Carl and Vera Arnell and grew up in Cortez, Colorado. She graduated from Montezuma County High School in 1955, where she played in the band, belonged to Rainbow Girls, and was known to everyone as Edie.

She later moved to Farmington, New Mexico, where she met Charles “Chuck” Meyer Jr. They were married for 60 years and made their home in Arizona, where Chuck worked for the El Paso Natural Gas Company and called square dances across the Valley and Sun City for 50 years.

Eda Mae was funny, sarcastic and quick with a comeback, and she stayed that way to her last day.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck, in 2016, by her parents, by her sister, Jerry, and by her brother, Delbert. She is survived by her daughters Marilyn Kim Meyer, Tracy Frost and her husband Chris, and Terrie Marroquin and her husband Manny, and by her son Chris Meyer and his wife, Helen. She had four grandchildren, Laysie Valdivia and her husband Zach, Matias Marroquin, Antonio Marroquin, and Nick Frost, as well as two great-grandchildren, Kash Valdivia and Dezmon Valdivia.

From her high school yearbooks

Montezuma County High School, Cortez, Colorado, 1953 to 1955. Everyone called her Edie, and nearly everyone told her to be good. These are excerpts from what her classmates wrote in her yearbooks, spelling and all.

1953, sophomore year

“Your always so full of fun, and so ready to ‘crack’ a joke.”
Rosalie
“Boy, we had fun ditching people haven’t we? … Don’t forget the time we went ‘borrowing’ apples.”
Carole
“Don’t forget all the fun & trouble we’ve had. Skipping, etc.”
Deanie
“I have enjoyed having you in my class even tho I seldom see you.”
A teacher
“Be good and don’t flirt too much.”
Loretta

1954, junior year

“Keep your little bitty hands out of mischief and keep your self out of jail.”
A classmate
“Don’t ever forget when you were learning to drive, and would make your father so furious. That was funny!”
Jodie
“… cruising main … and all the other crazy things we’ve done when we shouldn’t.”
Betsy
“… going to Dolores, chasing the boys, going to shows, dances. More darn fun huh?”
Elaine
“Be good and take care of the boys when all us seniors are gone.”
Loretta
“Be good and good luck with all your boyfriends.”
Stephanie
“Dearest, Darling, honey pot your about the sweetest, cutest, bestest, kids that I’ve ever seen.”
Bob

1955, senior year

“I’ve sure enjoyed having you in class but wish you would stop picking on me.”
Don
“The moon may shine The stars may fall But nothing can top The biggest smile of all.”
Malcom
“A stork flew from north to south with poor Edie in its mouth, When it saw she was a nut it dropped her in the Arnell hut.”
Marie
“Well, ‘little sis’: looks like you have finally made the grade. I’ll admit you had me worried at times … You are pretty special to us.”
Carol, her cousin

Photos

More than eighty years of pictures

Pick an album and it opens as a slideshow.

Memories

In the words of people who knew them

About Eda Mae

I have very fond memories of when I used to go and stay with her when I was going through chemotherapy treatments. I was so appreciative that I could stay with her instead of having to stay in a motel room. She was so supportive and gave me a shoulder to cry on during that very hard time in my life.
Tanya Ackerman

  • About Eda Mae

    We will always remember when Kim would come in dressed like Elvis in her white and black suit and wig and little guitar and we would all try to help her sing one of his songs!! And laughter that came with that scenario!!!

    Rosaura and Carl

  • About Eda Mae

    Then there were those memories when carl and I went to visit her and we'd have to wait till stove would give us signal when we could use it to cook something!! Electric company put people on a time table of usage. We'd always laugh about that!!

    Rosaura

  • About Eda Mae

    I still have a vivid pic when id join her in her beautiful large palm tree backyard. Her sitting in desk facing trees and smoking her cigarette early on the mornings just talking and laughing and drinking our coffee. Always with a smile

    Rosaura

  • About Chuck

    He came to my house and we played basketball and he was so tall that he could dunk.

    Antonio M.

  • About Chuck

    You were always able to crack a joke and make me laugh no matter what the situation was. Love you so much!!

    Laysie

  • About Chuck

    A strong but quiet man. I had a lot of respect for him. He always called me bigfoot. I loved helping him around the house and doing things for him. He always had a list for me when I came to town. I love and respect him deeply.

    Chris Frost – Husband to Tracy (Daughter)

Read all the memories

  • About Chuck

    I am going to miss you Dad. You were a great father. Father, Mom might let me have one of your cowboy hats. I will always wear it . I love you Daddy a whole bunch and I am really going to miss you!!

    Your daughter, Kim

  • About Chuck

    Our deepest condolences and we are with you in spirit. We love you.

    The Mortara Family

  • About Chuck

    He was always very kind to us, with a great smile on his face. He’ll be missed.

    Letty, Primrose, Cat & Franki (Manny's family)

  • About Chuck

    I remember coming to Phoenix and staying with Uncle Sonny and Aunt Eda Mae. Both of them were so nice and kind. When the time came for me to leave I didn’t want to go because it felt like my new home because of how kind they both were to me.

    A friend

  • About Chuck

    I remember Uncle Sonny racing down 4th Street with a carload of kids with his younger brother Julius racing in the next lane with a carload of kids…and laughing saying, “Oh, he’s crazy,” and let his little brother win.

    A friend

  • About Chuck

    One simple fact that every time I saw him it was a kind word and question of what I was up to and just his kindness overall… and of course how he would tease me about the “pool” incident with that smile of his. I will miss him.

    Love, Paul

  • About Chuck

    I love you so much great grandpa. I loved the memory of when we would all hang out in the living room while you sang music.

    Kash

  • About Chuck

    As a square dance caller, Chuck always made sure everyone would get the calls. If anyone needed help, he would stop calling to help. He was very friendly to his dancers and made you feel welcome. You could always tell he was a family man. He will be missed.

    Dorothy Nolan

  • About Chuck

    Thanks for the good times.

    Phil

  • About Chuck

    Honest. Very patient teaching. Never embarrassed anyone!

    A friend

  • About Chuck

    Always so gracious and patient with new classes. You were always at your best with a mike in your hand and a floor full of dancers.

    A friend

  • About Chuck

    What a patient, kind soul who had a great sense of humour. We have lost such a great Square Dance Caller not only a wonderful human being, a great blessing.

    A friend

  • About Chuck

    The first class I took with Chuck, he was very friendly. After I got to know him better, I enjoyed his sense of humor.

    John Nichol

  • About Chuck

    I remember my cousin as a very friendly cousin, who I did not meet until he was in his 70’s. It was a joy to meet him and be a part of square dance calling. My father Jesse spoke so highly of him. What a talented man! God bless him.

    Gladys Ann Meyer Adams

  • About Chuck

    I always remember when I graduated from college I came to Phoenix to visit my uncle. I went to see him square dance call and he introduced me to the audience and said he was very proud of me that I graduated from college. This really touched my heart.

    Tanya Ackerman

  • About Chuck

    Chuck loved his music room, he was passionate about calling and always so proud to show us his chops.

    Manny

  • About Chuck

    Just found out about Chuck’s passing. What a great country music square dance caller. Chuck and Eda Mae were a such a nice couple and made square dancing so special. God bless all of your family left here. From another old country music caller and his wife.

    Don and Jan Spurgin

  • About Chuck

    Chuck was a good man and will be deeply missed. He taught me to square dance, as he did so many in the Valley, and for that I will be ever grateful. Thanks, Chuck, for the memories and friendship. And thanks so much for “Amarillo by Morning.”

    Cherie Hatzopoulos

  • About Chuck

    My deepest sympathy to Eda Mae and all of Chuck’s family and friends! Yes, he was a great square dance caller and teacher and definitely added joy to my life learning and dancing to his calling. So sad that he has left us here but we will all meet again in Heaven. He is in a better place and I hope that is comforting to his family. RIP, Chuck, you will be missed but not forgotten! Love, Pat

    Pat McCreight

  • About Chuck

    I always enjoyed dancing to Chuck and working with him. He showed respect for his dancers as well as his fellow callers and cuers. Always the Gentleman with a touch of humor and a great big heart for everyone around him. Thanks for the memories. Eda Mae, my prayers are with you. Chuck was a great one.

    Ronnie Fontaine

  • About Chuck

    Dear Eda Mae and family, I first danced to Chuck in 1993 at Shepard Swingers and kept on till 2013 at Family Squares. I will miss him and his gang. Bet he has a square or two up in Heaven with all our old friends, and is having a great time. My prayers go out to you and your family.

    Kathleen Bruno

  • About Chuck

    Chuck you be missed. You will be remembered for what you did your life.

    David and Alice Balsam and Griffey

  • About Chuck

    Chuck will be missed.

    Jim & Sharon Crouse

  • About Chuck

    Chuck was a great called, I enjoyed dancing to his calling. prayers to Eda Mae and her family.

    Fred Hoos

  • About Chuck

    We had so much fun and so many lovely memories of Chuck and Guns and Garters..including a trip to Rocky Point. Thank you Chuck. You will be missed by so many. Deepest sympathy to Eda May and all the family.

    Barb and David Webster

  • About Chuck

    Chuck was a great instructor and friend to all. He truly loved the Square Dance world. God Bless his family. He will be missed.

    Milly Ostrander-Johnson

  • About Chuck

    As a fellow caller Chuck was always nice to me and I enjoyed his company and his calling. I have some great memories of him, from when I lived in Phoenix. He was a gentlemen, a wonderful part of the Square Dance Community, he surely will be missed. Thanks for the memories CHUCK

    Rick Gittelman

  • About Chuck

    He was the first Square Dance Caller in AZ that I danced to. Thanks to him, I met a lot of fun loving people to enjoy through the years. Am sure he put a pleasant spark in many lives. He was a blessing!! My deepest regards to his family.

    Darlene Mahlum

  • About Chuck

    I am so sorry that square dancing will miss his calling. I was a member of his club for years and am sorry to hear he has gone. He made many people keep dancing because he inspired something special in square dancing. I wood like to and my prayers and thoughts to his family.

    A friend

  • About Chuck

    Chuck taught Eileen and myself a lot, the good lord has him now.

    Doug and Eileen Amos

  • About Chuck

    Chuck made square dancing fun and Eda May was always there to greet everyone. Bless you and we will miss such a wonderful man.

    Karen and Jim Middleton

  • About Chuck

    My caller buddy for so many years, Rest in peace my friend. May God Bless the family.

    Dave & Phyllis Gilbert

  • About Chuck

    Chuck will be missed in the square dance world. He was a great caller.

    Barbara Edmonson

  • About Chuck

    He provided so much enjoyment to Valley lives and Square Dancing throughout the years and welcomed so many with his warm greetings! HE WILL BE MISSED BY US.

    Dave & Elli Christmas

  • About Chuck

    May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

    Art Halvorsen

  • About Chuck

    Chuck was such a wonderful square dance caller and always willing to help anyone wanting to learn. Donating a lot of his time to teaching others. We will miss him very much.

    Mary & Terry Paxton

  • About Chuck

    It was so sad to hear of chucks passing. He brought so much joy to me and my family. It was because of him I was introduced to a world of social fun I have enjoyed now for over 40 years. He was so dedicated to square dancing and all that it involved. My deepest condolence go out to Eda Mae and the rest of the family. He will be missed by many!

    Jim Murphy

  • About Chuck

    Chuck taught my husband and myself to square dance and I still love dancing. Sending love to Eda May and his family.

    Trudy Skelton

  • About Chuck

    I first learned square dancing through Chuck and had a fabulous time he will be missed my sympathies to you

    Kathy OConnor

  • About Chuck

    Was very sad to hear of Chuck’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with Eda Mae at this time. Just know he is in a better place with relatives who have gone before him.

    Anne Barker

  • About Chuck

    Chuck was a great caller and dedicated to Square Dancing, he will be greatly missed. Prayers for peace and comfort go to Eda Mae and family.

    Colleen Centner

  • About Chuck

    Chuck has touched so many lives, with love and friendship. Though his calling he made so many lives better, and helped the dancers find something special, FRIENDSHIPS. Chuck will be greatly missed. Our love and prayers go out to his family.

    Dale & Pat Dockery

  • About Chuck

    Chuck loved square dancing and all that it included. Everyone loved him. He gave much more than he received. I hope he is calling in Heaven…

    Barb Haines

  • About Chuck

    A great friend, square dance caller and a great man. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Eda Mae and the rest of his family. The world will be a lesser place without him but Heaven a greater one.

    Audie Emery