In loving memory of Dr. Charlie Vallejo
Donation protected
Charlie Francisco Vallejo
March 23, 1963 - August 1, 2020
On August 1st, 2020, the world lost an incredible man and Heaven gained a new angel (nay, ARCHangel). After a 42 day battle in ICU with Covid-19, Dr. Charlie Vallejo was called home to Heaven, far sooner than we were ready to let him go. In less than a month, this family lost their grandfather, Jorge Vallejo to Covid, then their cousin, Joey Vallejo, was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and now Charlie, the patriarch of their family was taken from them. Their suffering is unfathomable. Understand, this man was no ordinary man. The world is rarely blessed with someone as truly special as Charlie, which is evident in the relationships he kept, the people whose lives he touched, and the legacy he has left behind. The world was a better place with him in it. There are no words that can truly incapsulate the kind of human being Charlie was, but I will try my best.
Charlie “The Man”
Charlie, the man, was full of life, in all sense of the word. He loved to laugh, celebrate, and “live life to the fullest.” He enjoyed traveling, seeing the world, and admiring God’s beautiful creations. He loved the song “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw, and that’s probably because that is exactly what he always did. Charlie spent his weekends in the Keys, with a beer in his hand, surrounded by family, constantly reminding us aloud that “this is the life” and to recognize how blessed we were to have this life God gave us. He never dwelled on a problem longer than it took to say there was a problem. “Don’t worry about it,” he would say. “I’ll take care of it,” he would ensure us. “It’s going to be fine,” he would remind us. There was never a worry in the world when you were around Charlie, and that’s probably why so many people gravitated towards him and wanted to know him. His faith was stronger than that of a billion mustard seeds, capable of moving multiple mountains. He taught us how to fight, all the way to his final breath. He was never the type to give up, and both his life and death were testament to that. His energy and love for life inspired others to want more from their own, and that legacy will continue to make the world a better place for generations.
Charlie “The Father”
Charlie was an amazing son, brother, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and friend. From the moment he woke up (always early and fully of energy), he spent his days dedicated to helping everyone he could. That started with his family. Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Charlie’s greatest treasure was his family, and his unconditional and infinite love for them shined brightly in and through them. Charlie was the type of husband to his wife, Lissy, that all men can only aspire to be, loving his wife with every breath he had, treating her like his queen, and reminding the world what a true gentleman is supposed to be. To say he was an incredible dad would be the greatest understatement ever made. Charlie lived for his kids, and it shows. His love for them knew no bounds, and there was nothing he would not do for them. Once again I say, we can only aspire to be even half the father Charlie was. He inspired Gisselle, Charlie Jr., and Kevin to study medicine like he did, not because he loved the career itself, but because his life was a testament to the joy that comes from helping your fellow man. Charlie treated his nieces & nephews, George-Michael, John, and Jessica like they were his children, raising not 3, but 6 kids. He looked after and loved his brothers, Freddy and Jorge, who were his partners in crime. You didn’t have to be his blood for Charlie to treat you like you were his family. I can say that because of how he welcomed myself as his son-in-law and my son into his heart. The type of close relationship I was blessed to have with my father-in-law was unique, one that I will miss all the rest of my days. If the way he adored Cayden is any indication to the kind of grandfather he would’ve been, we know that he will give them a special blessing from heaven before sending them down to meet us.
Charlie “The Doctor”
Dr. Charlie Vallejo was a medical legend in South Florida, but not only because he was a brilliant doctor. Charlie gave himself fully to his work and to his patients. He loved medicine because he loved PEOPLE. It didn’t matter where he was or what time of day it was, he was always answering his phone helping others get the care they needed. He took his time with his patients, made them feel loved, always treating everyone he met like they were family. He somehow managed to be a workaholic, but still gave more quality time and effort to his family than most of us give our own. The most amazing part about Charlie was that he always gave, gave, gave, and NEVER expected not an ounce, penny, or smidge in return. Very few people walk this earth who demonstrate what altruism is, but Charlie was certainly one of them. The best example of this was his refusal to stop working in the midst of Covid-19 despite the risk of getting infected himself, because he insisted his patients needed him. He died a hero.
Humility
Charlie taught his family to be humble. Charlie took good care of his family and left them taken care of. His family didn't ask me to do this GoFundMe because that’s not the type of man Charlie was. He never liked to ask for help because HE wanted to be the one to give. Nonetheless, those of us on the outside wanted to find a way to give back to Charlie for all he gave us and this world. People have been blowing up our phones asking how they can give a gift, offer condolences, or send something to the family. I created this page to give people a place to do so, and I hope this fund will help them through this, even if they didn’t ask for it or need it.
In conclusion…
The hole Charlie’s passing has left in our world, and the world of all those who knew him, is immense and can never truly be filled. As the family mourns, we think of all that could have been and what will never be. All we can hope to do is to learn to live with that pain, and live the kind of life Charlie would have wanted. If you knew Charlie, you would know he would want us all to “just keep swimming.” His family, especially his wonderful children, will continue to be a shining light on this world as they carry his light within them. As the poem “As I Sit in Heaven” ends, we remember Charlie with these words: “So live your life, laugh again…Enjoy yourself, be free…Then I know with every breath you take…you’ll be taking one for me.”
God bless you all, and I speak for the family in saying thank you for all your support, love, and prayers.
WE LOVE YOU CHARLIE!!
March 23, 1963 - August 1, 2020
On August 1st, 2020, the world lost an incredible man and Heaven gained a new angel (nay, ARCHangel). After a 42 day battle in ICU with Covid-19, Dr. Charlie Vallejo was called home to Heaven, far sooner than we were ready to let him go. In less than a month, this family lost their grandfather, Jorge Vallejo to Covid, then their cousin, Joey Vallejo, was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and now Charlie, the patriarch of their family was taken from them. Their suffering is unfathomable. Understand, this man was no ordinary man. The world is rarely blessed with someone as truly special as Charlie, which is evident in the relationships he kept, the people whose lives he touched, and the legacy he has left behind. The world was a better place with him in it. There are no words that can truly incapsulate the kind of human being Charlie was, but I will try my best.
Charlie “The Man”
Charlie, the man, was full of life, in all sense of the word. He loved to laugh, celebrate, and “live life to the fullest.” He enjoyed traveling, seeing the world, and admiring God’s beautiful creations. He loved the song “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw, and that’s probably because that is exactly what he always did. Charlie spent his weekends in the Keys, with a beer in his hand, surrounded by family, constantly reminding us aloud that “this is the life” and to recognize how blessed we were to have this life God gave us. He never dwelled on a problem longer than it took to say there was a problem. “Don’t worry about it,” he would say. “I’ll take care of it,” he would ensure us. “It’s going to be fine,” he would remind us. There was never a worry in the world when you were around Charlie, and that’s probably why so many people gravitated towards him and wanted to know him. His faith was stronger than that of a billion mustard seeds, capable of moving multiple mountains. He taught us how to fight, all the way to his final breath. He was never the type to give up, and both his life and death were testament to that. His energy and love for life inspired others to want more from their own, and that legacy will continue to make the world a better place for generations.
Charlie “The Father”
Charlie was an amazing son, brother, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and friend. From the moment he woke up (always early and fully of energy), he spent his days dedicated to helping everyone he could. That started with his family. Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Charlie’s greatest treasure was his family, and his unconditional and infinite love for them shined brightly in and through them. Charlie was the type of husband to his wife, Lissy, that all men can only aspire to be, loving his wife with every breath he had, treating her like his queen, and reminding the world what a true gentleman is supposed to be. To say he was an incredible dad would be the greatest understatement ever made. Charlie lived for his kids, and it shows. His love for them knew no bounds, and there was nothing he would not do for them. Once again I say, we can only aspire to be even half the father Charlie was. He inspired Gisselle, Charlie Jr., and Kevin to study medicine like he did, not because he loved the career itself, but because his life was a testament to the joy that comes from helping your fellow man. Charlie treated his nieces & nephews, George-Michael, John, and Jessica like they were his children, raising not 3, but 6 kids. He looked after and loved his brothers, Freddy and Jorge, who were his partners in crime. You didn’t have to be his blood for Charlie to treat you like you were his family. I can say that because of how he welcomed myself as his son-in-law and my son into his heart. The type of close relationship I was blessed to have with my father-in-law was unique, one that I will miss all the rest of my days. If the way he adored Cayden is any indication to the kind of grandfather he would’ve been, we know that he will give them a special blessing from heaven before sending them down to meet us.
Charlie “The Doctor”
Dr. Charlie Vallejo was a medical legend in South Florida, but not only because he was a brilliant doctor. Charlie gave himself fully to his work and to his patients. He loved medicine because he loved PEOPLE. It didn’t matter where he was or what time of day it was, he was always answering his phone helping others get the care they needed. He took his time with his patients, made them feel loved, always treating everyone he met like they were family. He somehow managed to be a workaholic, but still gave more quality time and effort to his family than most of us give our own. The most amazing part about Charlie was that he always gave, gave, gave, and NEVER expected not an ounce, penny, or smidge in return. Very few people walk this earth who demonstrate what altruism is, but Charlie was certainly one of them. The best example of this was his refusal to stop working in the midst of Covid-19 despite the risk of getting infected himself, because he insisted his patients needed him. He died a hero.
Humility
Charlie taught his family to be humble. Charlie took good care of his family and left them taken care of. His family didn't ask me to do this GoFundMe because that’s not the type of man Charlie was. He never liked to ask for help because HE wanted to be the one to give. Nonetheless, those of us on the outside wanted to find a way to give back to Charlie for all he gave us and this world. People have been blowing up our phones asking how they can give a gift, offer condolences, or send something to the family. I created this page to give people a place to do so, and I hope this fund will help them through this, even if they didn’t ask for it or need it.
In conclusion…
The hole Charlie’s passing has left in our world, and the world of all those who knew him, is immense and can never truly be filled. As the family mourns, we think of all that could have been and what will never be. All we can hope to do is to learn to live with that pain, and live the kind of life Charlie would have wanted. If you knew Charlie, you would know he would want us all to “just keep swimming.” His family, especially his wonderful children, will continue to be a shining light on this world as they carry his light within them. As the poem “As I Sit in Heaven” ends, we remember Charlie with these words: “So live your life, laugh again…Enjoy yourself, be free…Then I know with every breath you take…you’ll be taking one for me.”
God bless you all, and I speak for the family in saying thank you for all your support, love, and prayers.
WE LOVE YOU CHARLIE!!Organizer and beneficiary
Michael Plasencia
Organizer
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Lissette Selem
Beneficiary