Charles "Chip" Myrtle

Charles Joseph Myrtle (Chip), former linebacker for the Denver Broncos (1967-1972), husband
of Connie Carpenter and cherished loved-one of his “adopted” daughters (2) and grandchildren
(7), godson, sisters, brothers and many friends and family, passed away on April 11, 2022, in
Centennial, Colorado. He had reached 77 on his most recent birthday on February 6th.
Chip was born in 1945, an eventful year. He was a history buff and likely would have shared the
significant events which occurred in 1945: WWII ended, the U.S. had two Presidents that year:
Franklin D. Roosevelt who died in office, having been sworn-in in January for an unprecedented
4th term, and his successor, Vice President Harry S. Truman, “the” bomb was dropped in Japan,
the United Nations was founded, the last emperor of China was captured, the “Cold War” began,
the Nuremberg trials began and the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) were
created.
It was during this tumultuous yet hopeful time that Chip was born to Charles Myrtle and Alice
White Myrtle in Buffalo, N.Y. He was the second son in a family of seven children: Michael (d),
Chip, Jim, John (d), Mary, Martha and Eddie. The family moved to Maryland when Chip was a
young boy and that is where they remained throughout his youth. He played football in High
School (Archbishop Carroll HS, Washington, D.C.) and was recruited by the University of
Maryland (Terrapins) where he played college football and earned his Bachelor’s degree. Chip
was an intelligent, amazing young man and athlete. He continued his career as a professional
football player, serving as a linebacker for seven seasons with the Denver Broncos, San Diego
Chargers and later the Jacksonville Express with the World Football League. The position of
linebacker was a natural fit for Chip, requiring intelligence, versatility and strength.
After a successful career as a professional athlete in the NFL, Chip decided to utilize his
sociable, caring, analytical and detail-oriented gifts in real estate. He seamlessly transitioned to
this career path in his adopted home of Colorado.
Chip remained in Colorado for a number of years then moved back to Maryland to be close to his
family. But he found his way back to Colorado after he and Connie reconnected and married on
February 13, 2016, after nearly a lifetime of friendship and relationship twists and turns. They
moved to Colorado together and made their home in south Denver with Chip’s “fur babies,” two
cats named Boo and Timmy. They shared a home with Connie’s sister Linda Chappell, niece
Stephanie Chappell and nephew Adam Chappell plus two pups, Charlie and Pinky.
Chip is survived by his wife, Connie Carpenter, two daughters: Keri Scott and Kimberly Nuttall
(husband Val Nuttall), a son Brent Kavadas, seven grandchildren: Michael, Kathryn and
Andrew Awada, and Nicholas, Zachary, Jacob and Sean Alberts, two sisters: Mary Klarfeld
(husband Peter Klarfeld) and Martha Kinsey, his brothers: Jimmy Myrtle and Eddie Myrtle,
Godson Joshua Bonaparte (of whom he was very proud) his beloved nieces and nephews:
Michael Anthony, Christine, Trisha, Heather, Liza and Louis.
Chip made many lifelong friends during his football career and life. He valued these
relationships and was always a true and reliable friend. He was a good, kind man who enjoyed
spending time at home working around the yard and talking with his friends. He loved his wife,
loved his family, loved his pets, kept up with current events and retained his quick wit
throughout his life. Chip was a treasure who will be sorely missed.
Please share your special memories of Chip with us.
A memorial service will be held in the Chapel at Horan and McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80227 (just north of Hampden (285) and Wadsworth),
Monday, May 2, 2022, @ 2:30 p.m. A reception will follow the service; in the same building:
The family requests that memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the charity
of one’s choice.