Charles Price Bush (best known as Charlie) went to join his family in Heaven from his mountain cabin home on January 7th, 2026.

At the age of 23, in August 1996, Charlie settled in the beautiful mountain village of Cuchara, in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.  There he also met the love of his life, Valerie Viosca, a beautiful young woman from New Orleans, who became his soul mate and life partner.

Cuchara holds special significance for Charlie, as he became his family's 4th generation of roots there. After seven years of hard work and dedication, with Val at his side, he became the 4th generation to own a cabin in Cuchara.  Their mountain home delightfully overlooks the Cuchara Valley, with a full view of the beautiful mountain range, the Sangre de Cristos.

Charlie never locked his cabin door. His cabin was always open and welcoming, a Haven to his many friends, far and near- a hallmark of Charlie's generosity.

It is an understatement to say that Charlie was famous in the local area – mostly for good reasons, and particularly for his amazing cooking.

Charlie began his culinary skills in 1996 in the local, highly popular pub The Dog Bar, where his variety of hand-made pizzas included his famous "CuCharlie Pizza".

Charlie and Val were also avid snow boarders and frequented the slopes of the Cuchara Valley Ski Resort, where Charlie also managed the ski rental shop during its early seasons.

Over the next three decades, Charlie further refined his culinary skills, first in local venues, including the Ryus Avenue Bakery, The La Veta Inn, The Silver Spoon, and The Timbers.  He further refined his skills in New Orleans and Santa Fe, earning the title of Chef.

Patrons who had the good fortune of taking a table while Charlie was the Chef in the kitchen were unanimously impressed.  He was best known for his chicken and andouille gumbo, as well as his bacon-wrapped shrimp – dishes that Charlie imported to Colorado from New Orleans' famous French Quarter, where he worked as a line cook at Stanley Restaurant and later as Sous Chef at the Canal Street Bistro.  He also spent a couple of years as Sous Chef at Counter Culture Cafe in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which was named Restaurant of the Year by the Santa Fe Reporter – in no small part due to Charlie's culinary talents.

But the local community didn't just love Charlie for his cooking – they knew him as a humorous cheerful soul who was always ready to lend a helping hand.  No snow drift was too deep, no repair was too complicated, and no time spent helping a neighbor was lost. Likewise, Charlie's love of Cuchara was reflected in the local community, where he found many of his best friendships and welcoming neighbors.

"Of modest means, yet making many rich, having little but possessing everything: is Scripture that reflects Charlie's nature. (2nd Corinthians 6:10)

Charlie was born in Manhattan, Kansas, on August 19th, 1973.  He was baptized when he was four months old, sealed as Christ's own forever.  Charlie attended Bluemont Elementary School in Manhattan. His extended family there included his loving "Grandma Peggy" and his fun-loving Aunt Trina.

Charlie graduated from high school in Bucklin, Kansas, class of 1991.  He was a member of the football team and was known for his creative artwork, including a "Flying Aces" design for the school sport jackets. Charlie belonged to the Bucklin United Methodist Church where, as a teen, he faithfully filmed the Sunday Church Services for community outreach.

After high school, Charlie attended Dodge City Community College with studies in the Department of Art. He was also a shift manager for the local Pizza Hut.  After attending DCCC, he settled in Cuchara, Colorado.

Family members who have journeyed to Heaven ahead of Charlie include: his grandfather and name's sake, Charles Elmer Henry, who was Charlie's loving guide and mentor; as was his loving grandmother, Trudy (Connaway) Henry and his beloved "Aunt Lianna" (Henry) Thomas, all of Dodge City, Kansas; Charlie's father Steve Alan Bush, and paternal grandmother Medna (Peggy) Mescal Sowell Waffle, both of Manhattan, Kansas.

Charlie is survived by his life partner, Valerie Viosca, of Cuchara and New Orleans; his mother, Linda (Henry) Bush; his brothers, Scott Eric Brees and David Alan Bush; three aunts: Jan (Henry) Scoggins, Dana (Henry) Howard, both of Dodge City, and Trina Nold of Stilwell, Kansas; one nephew, three nieces, and eight cousins.  Charlie is also survived by his loving New Orleans family, Vic and Deon Viosca, Paul Viosca, and Adrienne Viosca.

A Celebration of Charlie's Life will be held May 7 in Cuchara, Colorado at The Timbers from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and also a Celebration of Life in Bucklin, Kansas, this spring, with date and details to be announced.   There will also be a Blessing of Charlie's Ashes at his family's church, St. Cornelius Episcopal Church, in Dodge City, Kansas.

All of Charlie's family thank all of you for the love and friendship you shared with Charlie over his life and for your heart-felt cares and prayers.

The family suggests memorials to Jan Scoggins (to assist with the final funeral expenses for Charlie) in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.

Charlie's Scripture Blessing:

1st Peter 2:25 "Now you have returned to The Guardian and Shepherd of your soul."

May the Lord bless and keep us all and make His Face to shine upon us all.