Charline Sargent

SARGENT, Charline
Kalamazoo, Michigan Charline Sargent was born Charline Cook on April 20, 1916, to Charles B. Cook and Ella Louise Whitehill in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was the first of 3 children, followed by James born in 1921 and Alden born in 1923. Charles owned and operated C.B. Cook Sporting Goods on East Michigan Avenue from 1924 through 1954. The family lived on Midvale Terrace on Westnedge Hill. Charline attended Vine Street School and graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1934. Her education continued at Western State Teachers College, while finding work at Gilmore Brothers during the 1930's. She went on to become a buyer and a model for the store. Her work included many trips to the Merchandise Mart in Chicago and also to New York City. On one trip via train to New York she had the pleasure to dine with Frank Sinatra and his agent... a fond memory. In 1947, she and her mother moved to Pasadena, California where she resided for over 20 years. There she met the love of her life ... Scott McLean in the late 40's and they married. Scott was an Art Director for NBC Television - Burbank, and he did all of the sets for Queen for a Day, Tennessee Ernie Ford, The Dean Martin Show and many NBC specials. He was also Art Director for the critically acclaimed Pasadena Playhouse where most radio-TV stars started their careers. Charline continued in the clothing business by owning her own children's clothing store in La Canada, and a motel with her brothers in Ojai, California. Char and Scott moved to Cambria, CA getting away from the pressures of LA where she re-invented herself by becoming a realtor ... then a broker and selling property in the Big Sur area of California. Vacations saw trips to Europe with special interest in Yugoslavia and France. She acquired a taste for Quimper plate settings which involved more trips to southern France. Scott died in the early 80's. A 50th high school reunion brought Char to Kalamazoo and meeting an old friend, Don Sargent at the train with a dozen roses. They married a few months later and resettled near Port Townsend, Washington. A good retirement of traveling and sailing lasted for over 10 years till Don died in 1995. Charline sold her home and moved back to Grand Haven in 2002 ... then Kalamazoo in 2003, to be near her closest relatives. HER BEST STORY... sitting in her car next to Dean Martin's car in Hollywood traffic. He picks up his car phone.... looks at her and says "IT'S FOR YOU". HER BEST FUN.. visiting an old friend in Virginia City, Nevada, and swapping stories. Charline is survived by 2 step-daughters, Leslie Kannisto of Gardnerville, NV and Pam Guaraglia of San Francisco, CA; a sister-in-law, Doris Cook of La Quinta, CA; and a nephew, James Marcia Cook of Kalamazoo. Cremation has taken place and burial of cremains will take place in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, CA. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to make a memorial to a local humane society in Charline's name. Local arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Please visit www.langelands.com for online obituary, directions, register book and condolences. 343-1508