Family literally celebrates Navy vet’s death, claims he didn’t deserve to live

A blanket of snow covers Arlington National Cemetery, Jan. 30, 2017, in Arlington, Va. The cemetery is the final resting place for more than 400,000 active duty service members, veterans and their families. (U.S. Army photo by Rachel Larue/Arlington National Cemetery/released)

His family cites his military service and even mentions that he was a Navy boxing champion, but the obituary is quick to note his service wasn’t out of patriotism or bravery, but rather a means to stay out of prison.

Leslie Ray ‘Popeye’ Charping passed away Jan. 30, 2017, and his family couldn’t be more pleased.

According to his family, boxing is the only thing he was good at. “Leslie’s life served no other obvious purpose, he did not contribute to society or serve his community and he possessed no redeeming qualities besides quick whited [sic] sarcasm which was amusing during his sober days,” said the obituary, which apparently crashed the Carnes Funeral Home Website by Friday night.

His family said in the obituary, “He lived 29 years longer than expected and much longer than he deserved.  Leslie battled with cancer in his latter years and lost his battle, ultimately due to being the horses’ ass he was known for. He leaves behind two relieved children; a son Leslie Roy Charping and daughter, Shiela Smith along with six grandchildren and countless other victims including an ex wife, relatives, friends, neighbors, doctors, nurses and random strangers.”

The Texas Star Telegram, reports his family’s claims are in some ways founded in truth and says Charping had several convictions in Harris County over the years: assault in 1979; assaulting a family member by pouring hot liquid on his wife in 2008; and a violating of restraining order in 2009, when he threatened to kill a female relative.

His obituary goes on to say he wasted his family’s money and was abusive.

Blaze sites his obituary stating, “Leslie was surprisingly intelligent, however he lacked ambition and motivation to do anything more than being reckless, wasteful, squandering the family savings and fantasizing about get rich quick schemes.  Leslie’s hobbies included being abusive to his family, expediting trips to heaven for the beloved family pets and fishing, which he was less skilled with than the previously mentioned.”

Under conditions of anonymity, one of the obituary’s authors spoke to KTRK-TV, and explained that the family made the decision to publish the obituary, primarily to bring closure and also bring attention to domestic violence issues:

“I wrote my father’s obituary. I loved my father because he was my father and his passing would not have been any less difficult had he been a good father.

As someone that ‘hated a liar’, I believe even he would have appreciated the honesty. I apologize to anyone that my father hurt and I felt it would have been offensive to portray him as anything other than who he was. This obituary was intended to help bring closure because not talking about domestic violence doesn’t make it go away!

Thank you to those that have offered sincere condolences, understanding and prayers for our family, your words bring comfort. I am happy for those that simply do not understand, this means you had good parent(s) — please treasure what you have.

Although I appreciate everyone’s concern, it would have been much more appreciated at any time during my childhood. For those being cruel, please remember that you now resemble my father and I would be more than happy to pen your obituary as well.”

Blaze published a full version of the obituary before the funeral home’s site crashed:

“Leslie Ray ‘Popeye’ Charping was born in Galveston on November 20, 1942 and passed away January 30, 2017, which was 29 years longer than expected and much longer than he deserved.  Leslie battled with cancer in his latter years and lost his battle, ultimately due to being the horses ass he was known for.  He leaves behind 2 relieved children; a son Leslie Roy Charping and daughter, Shiela Smith along with six grandchildren and countless other victims including an ex wife, relatives, friends, neighbors, doctors, nurses and random strangers.

“At a young age, Leslie quickly became a model example of bad parenting combined with mental illness and a complete commitment to drinking, drugs, womanizing and being generally offensive.  Leslie enlisted to serve in the Navy, but not so much in a brave & patriotic way but more as part of a plea deal to escape sentencing on criminal charges.  While enlisted, Leslie was the Navy boxing champion and went on to sufficiently embarrass his family and country by spending the remainder of his service in the Balboa Mental Health Hospital receiving much needed mental healthcare services.

“Leslie was surprisingly intelligent, however he lacked ambition and motivation to do anything more than being reckless, wasteful, squandering the family savings and fantasizing about get rich quick schemes.  Leslie’s hobbies included being abusive to his family, expediting trips to heaven for the beloved family pets and fishing, which he was less skilled with than the previously mentioned.  Leslie’s life served no other obvious purpose, he did not contribute to society or serve his community and he possessed no redeeming qualities besides quick whited sarcasm, which was amusing during his sober days.

“With Leslie’s passing he will be missed only for what he never did; being a loving husband, father and good friend.  No services will be held, there will be no prayers for eternal peace and no apologizes to the family he tortured.  Leslie’s remains will be cremated and kept in the barn until ‘Ray,’ the family donkey’s wood shavings run out.  Leslie’s passing proves that evil does in fact die and hopefully marks a time of healing and safety for all.”

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Author

  • Jim Verchio is a staff writer for Popular Military. As a retired Air Force Public Affairs craftsman, Jim has served at all levels. From staff writer to Editor-In-Chief, he has more than 30 years experience covering military topics in print and broadcast from the CONUS to Afghanistan. He is also a two time recipient of the DoD’s prestigious Thomas Jefferson Award for journalism excellence.

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