Charles L. "Charlie" Jones

August 26, 1942 ~ November 18, 2012

Charles L. "Charlie" Jones passed away at his home on November, 18, 2012. He was born in Grand Junction, CO on August 26, 1942, to Leonard C. and Angia Jones. He spent his early childhood in Oroville, WA, before the family moved to East Wenatchee. He graduated from Eastmont High School in 1960, where he was on the Student Council, served as President of his freshman and junior classes and as ASB President his senior year. He also attended Wenatchee Valley College. In 1962, Charlie married Kathleen Gills, and they had a daughter, Shirley. Charlie served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, and in the 9th Chemical Detachment in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. He received numerous commendations, including a Bronze Star medal. He was a proud, active member of the American Legion Post 10, was a past Commander and served on the Executive Board and House Committee. Charlie loved sports. He was on the Eastmont High School basketball team, was quarterback for the football team and catcher for the baseball team. He was an avid skier, golfer and bowler and was proud of his "300" game several years ago. He played fast pitch softball and, for many years, was catcher for the Burns Distributing team, where he was known as "Chatterbox Charlie" because of his constant banter to distract the batter. He also ran in several Seattle Marathons. He also enjoyed camping, raising a large vegetable garden and was known for his amazing cooking skills and disregard of recipes. Charlie was hired by Douglas County PUD as a Groundman and later became a Line Crew Foreman, retiring 35 years later as Distribution Dispatch Coordinator. He was hired by E.S.C.I., a safety training and consulting firm. In the ten years he worked there, he made lasting friendships at many of the utilities he served, from Winthrop to Oroville to Nespelum and down the Columbia. In 1977, Charlie married Marliss Breckon in Ellensburg, and they had a son, Kevin. Charlie was a longtime member of Wenatchee First Presbyterian Church, now Saddlerock Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He served as a Deacon and as an Elder and taught youth and adult Sunday School classes. He led a men's Bible study that met every Tuesday morning for 32 years, resulting in a close bond within that group of committed men. He organized the spring and fall cleanup of the Church's section of Blewett Pass for many years. Charlie was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a good, generous, thoughtful and hard-working man, who will be missed by many.

He is survived by his wife, Marliss; daughter, Shirley (Stuart) Gloyn; son, Kevin (Kendra) Jones; brother, Duane French; grandson, Spencer Gloyn; granddaughter, Sarah Gloyn; and niece, Anna Marie French. He is also survived by his stepmom and good friend, Ardis Jones; stepsister, Tammy Tooke; and stepbrother, Terry (Rose) Tooke. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Reynold; and an infant sister, Jeanette.

A Celebration of Charlie's Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on December 21, 2012, at Saddlerock Evangelical Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to Central Washington Hospital Home Care & Hospice, 1020 N. Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801, or the Saddlerock Evangelical Building Fund, 1400 Miller Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Arrangements are being made by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.