Frederick "Fred" Cha, 91, Sturgis, died Friday, November 28, 2014, at Sturgis Regional Long Term Care.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at Black Hills National Cemetery with Rev. Denzel Nonhof officiating. Family and friends are welcome to gather at Kinkade Funeral Chapel one hour prior.

Fred was born in Mutual, Utah to Italian immigrants, Angelo and Adeline Mary (Pavignano) Cha on May 27, 1923. He grew up in Mutual and attended school there up to the tenth grade. When he wasn't in school, he worked in the coal mine. Shortly after, he was drafted into the United States Army where he worked in security. His first assignment was in Idaho, working at an interment camp for the Japanese. His next assignment was in Arizona, working in a POW camp that had mainly German officers. He made many friends there and even learned some German. After that, he was honorably discharged and moved to California to work for the military base in Alameda, where he was trained and worked as a jet engine mechanic. This job he absolutely loved, showing up early every day. He also enjoyed the weather, riding his motorcycle to work almost every day. He enjoyed going to dances after work, and that is where he met the love of his life, Vesta Blair. They dated for a year before they were married on June 14, 1950, in Oakland, California. Together they bought and ran three apartment buildings in California at different times, and Fred would do maintenance on them in his spare time. After several years, he and Vesta retired, and they later moved to Sturgis in 2004. Fred wanted to get away from traffic and enjoy the small town atmosphere, and they wintered in Chandler, Arizona for five years. Fred and Vesta moved to the Berry unit at Sturgis Regional Long Term Care in 2011, due to health reasons.

Fred and Vesta thoroughly enjoyed everything to do with their 1960 Beachcraft Bonanza. Fred learned how to fly in Utah and they belonged to a flying club, Aircraft Pilots of the Bay Area, in California. He was a member of an Italian Men's Club in Oakland, CA, called Fratalanza. They also liked to camp and fish.

Fred is survived by his wife, Vesta; several nieces and nephews; and sisters-in-law, Marion Cha, Price, UT, and Vera Cha, Helper, UT.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, John, Joe, and Lawrence.

Memorials have been established to the Wounded Warrior Project and Sturgis Honor Guard.