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About Charles Thomas Demek
Charles “Buck” Thomas Demek, 80, bid adieu on July 5, 2025, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.
Charles leaves a legacy as a passionate, loyal, and caring individual. He was deeply committed to his family and loved to serve others. He was a devoted and admired teacher who inspired students to engage and learn in U.S. AP history, as well as life. He was a lover of languages, reading, and writing, as well as playing basketball, listening to good music, exercising, and eating donuts.
Charles was born in 1945 in Baltimore, Maryland. As a young adult he attended Catholic seminary where his posse referred to him as a “dramatic and despairing captain,” much to the chagrin of the priests and teachers. In 1968, he entered the Army and attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey, CA, where he learned Mandarin Chinese. Charles met his lovely wife, Juneanne, whom he married in January of 1969 at the Presidio. Charles and Juneanne then left for a two-year honeymoon in Taiwan where he served as a Chinese translator. After leaving the Army, they returned to Pittsburgh, PA where Charles attended Duquesne University and earned his master’s degree in history. They eventually ended up in Burke, VA where they spent most of their married life along with their two girls. Charles’ early professional life was spent in the telecom industry where he was known for his creative and visionary ideas. In 1988, Charles found his true vocation and purpose in life when he earned his teaching certificate and started teaching history for Fairfax County Public Schools. In 2015, Charles and Juneanne retired from teaching and moved to the country in central Virginia to enjoy the deer and the turkey buzzards and the beautiful country life. In retirement, Charles kept busy with writing short stories, his memoir, and continued to add to his substantial poetry collection.
Charles is a committed husband, father, Poppop, teacher, and friend. Charles and Juneanne enjoyed growing together through their 56-year marriage. Juneanne will fondly remember Charles as her greatest support, her dearest friend, and biggest pain in the butt (said lovingly). Charles’ two daughters, Kristina and Olivia, remember him as a hard-working, deeply devoted, loving, and kind father who made great sacrifices for them throughout his life. Charles’ five grandchildren will remember him as dedicated, passionately family-oriented, intellectually inclined, hilarious, and always charitable.
He summarizes his own life with this quote, “If I work my whole life to the very last days, working and serving these kids (students and family), then it would have been a good life.”
Charles is survived by his wife, Juneanne; his daughters, Kristina and Olivia Porter (Devan); his grandkids, Cole, Avery, Isaac, and June Porter; his sister, Sister Marie Pauline Demek SCC; his brothers, John Demek (Carole) and the Reverend Martin Demek. He’s also survived by his wife’s siblings, their spouses, and children. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Meixner Demek; and his grandsons James Demek and Charles Dale Porter.
A celebration of Charles’ life will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2222 N 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85008, on Saturday, July 12, 2025, with service at 3 p.m. and interment will be held at Mesa City Cemetery on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 10 a.m.
In memory of Charles and his devotion to writing, please enjoy one of his poems.
Mustard Seed
It’s hope, faith and knowledge that we seek
we start with a blessing of hope
drawing near our time of acceptance
true faith will rise from that seed
if we but cherish with our heart
true knowledge is our goal
if we but open the window of our soul.
~ Charles T. Demek
20 comments
David Kirkham
The world has lost a wonderful man, and I have lost a wonderful friend. I loved Charlie for his intellect, humor, devotion, eccentricity, and spirituality. He loved his family, his students, and his friends, probably in that order. God bless and console you, Juneanne, Kristina, Olivia and family. David (and Judy)
Karen Mayry
Dear Juneanne- Just this past week you came to my mind and I found myself thinking I should call you out in Arizona and check in on you and Charles. I didn’t know at the time that Charles had passed on. What a fascinating life you and he have led together! How lucky I feel to have been so touched by your examples of how to love and care for each other and those around you. You have lost your dear friend and companion but Charles has found the knowledge he worked to find. May you and your family, be blessed with the sweetest, most tender mercies in the days, months, and years ahead. Please know that you are always missed in Virginia, and we’re so grateful for all you gave us.
Brad and Anita Wiggins
It was a privilege to get to know you, Juneanne, and your dear companion, Charles, after we moved to Charlottesville at the end of 2020. We love you and miss you. We cherish our friendship! It is sweet to read about the interesting life that Charles led and the good that he did in the world. We send our love and condolences to you and your whole family.
Greg Doolittle
Mr Demek, as I knew him, was a beloved high school teacher of both myself and my younger sister, Carly. I was fortunate enough to study with him for two courses, AP Government and AP Comparative Government. His classroom was a lively place where diversity of thought was nurtured as long as your argument was sound. He used to twirl away at the front of the room through three different sets of notes at once on a wooden contraption apparently designed by Thomas Jefferson. You had better have done the reading on that day’s material or you were sure to be found out, chastised with a “sugar beets!”, and quickly forgiven. Mr. Demek is fondly remembered whenever the Doolittles gather and will be for years to come. Unbeknownst to me before I read this obituary, I’m completing a professional development course on the same campus in Monterey where Mr. Demek attended language school; I’ll find a nice, inconspicuous place to plant some mustard seeds for him there when I return next month.
Mary Ellen and Robert Pinsker
To Kristina and family: Our deepest condolences . May your father’s memory be a blessing.
Yvonne Muench
Juneanne, It has been an honor and pleasure to know and spend time with you and Charles. God be with you till we meet again.
Missy Creasy
Thinking of you.
Love the Creasy’s
Uffe
My deepest condolences and sympathy to JuneAnne and family.
Charles you are now free, happy and in a better world. We made friends late in our life’s but I enjoyed every minute and our talks and walks in the morning. Rest In Peace! U S, L M C’ville
Jim and Linda McVay
Our little bit of the Lord’s vineyard was so blessed to have the Demeks in our midst .
Godspeed to their family.
They were an amazing addition to our group and are greatly missed.
Ralph and Maria M Tetto
Junanne we are so sorry to hear this sad news, we wish you peace and hope in the Convenants of the Temple and the promise to be together forever again.
Berenice Tapia
I am deeply sorry. Your Dad was an incredible human being. I can’t help to think that Chas welcomed him with open arms. I love you all. Sending all my love. Berenice
Julie Loper Adams
Thank you for publishing this obituary. Charles lead an amazing life which was a joy to read about. My sincere condolences to the family.
Craig Smith
Charles was a good man and we will miss him! Condolences to “grandma Junebug.” Our prayers are with you!!
Hy & Kelly Hunsaker
Hy and Charles shared a love of civil war history. I remember Charles and Juneanne’s love and care for each other. We look to our Savior who made our eternal life and progression possible. We miss you Juneanne!
Greg and Martha Dudley
We are so sorry for your loss Juneanne. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Until we meet again.
Steve and Darlene Sadowski
Sending love and prayers. Buck always had a kind word and a big smile. My mom adored both of you and enjoyed your visits. He will be missed by many.
Steve and Darlene Sadowski
Sending love and prayers. Buck always had a kind word and a big smile. My mom adored both of you and enjoyed your visits. He will be missed by many.
Jennifer Dudley
Thinking of you Juneanne! Hope your family and friends out there are holding you close! We sure do miss you here. Sending love your way!
Lynn Lambert
A truly remarkable couple I am privileged to know. Go with God Charles and give Chas a hug from me. I will be honored to hopefully support Juneanne through this journey. You will be missed by many.
Lynnette Lambert
Robert and Susan Steed
Our deepest sympathies to Juneanne and family. With the faith of a mustard seed, there is indeed hope in Christ, who overcame death for all and holds the power to restore families.
Your friends in Charlottesville.