Charles Morris (Tink) Christensen

Charles Morris (Tink) Christensen, age 85, passed away from COVID-19 infection on 9 December 2020 in Mesquite, Nevada. Born August 8, 1935 in Moroni, Utah the first-born son of Charles Waldemar and Mary Ramona Christensen. He married Patricia Ann Burgener on 22 February 1964 in Elko, Nevada. They had recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.
Morris was reared in Moroni and attended schools there. During his growing years, his father was injured in an accident and was incapacitated for a period of time. Morris was cared for at that time by his grandfather who was a blacksmith or ”tinker”.  Because they were always together, he acquired the nickname of Tink by which he was known throughout his life.  He graduated from Moroni High School in 1953. He was active in student government and athletics in high school. He was always surrounded by friends. He was a very accomplished basketball player and was offered basketball scholarships to attend college. He attended Snow College and Utah State University. He served in the US Army and Utah National Guard where he was trained as a heavy equipment operator and worked for a time operating heavy machinery in road construction. He then was employed by Hercules Powder Company in Magna, Utah.  During that time, he met Pat, and they were married. Following marriage, he was employed by Transwestern Insurance Agency. During that time, they lived many years in Holladay, Utah where their home was a gathering place for family and friends and where many of his nieces and nephews learned to swim. Upon retirement He and Pat moved to Logandale and then Mesquite, Nevada where they enjoyed warmer winters. Tink loved people and always greeted them with a smile and a wisecrack. He greatly served his community and volunteered his time to many including the Rotary Club in Moapa Valley. He and Pat enjoyed the Utah mountains and built cabins so they could spend their summers there. They built their first cabin at the Fairview Lakes then later on Panguitch Lake. They loved sharing their cabins with family and friends and had countless wonderful memories at both locations. Tink was predeceased by his parents and sister Glenna Geniel Rea. He is survived by his wife Pat of Mesquite, NV, sister Georgia Lauritzen of Jacksonville, FL and two brothers James M. (Leslee) Christensen, Moroni, UT and Vern L (Ra Nae) Christensen of Mona, UT. He is also survived by many friends in Mesquite, Logandale, Salt Lake City, Panguitch Lake and by numerous nieces and nephews who loved him greatly. Tink was our big brother, uncle, mentor and protector for all of his life. He was soft as a marshmallow inside but did not show that side of him very often. We suspect that he put on a gruff exterior to conceal his soft inside. We will miss him greatly.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Virgin Valley Mortuary, 320 E. Old Mill Road, Mesquite, NV from 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. with services following at 6:30, which will be live-streamed.
The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their Guest Book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.