Charles Murray passed peacefully surrounded by family on Nov. 8, 2023. Chuck lived in Battle Ground for the past 30 years.
He is survived by his wife, Lynda, at home; daughters, Becki Shagren (Washington) and Susan Tucker (Arizona); son, Michael Murray (Arizona); stepson, Dean Korhonen and wife Tracy Korhonen (Washington); sisters, Marlene Baker (Florida), Michele Pontious (Tennessee) and Sharon McLaren (Colorado); and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews who were all special to him.
Chuck was born to James and Lorraine Murray on Jan. 14, 1939, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The family moved to Bremerton, Washington, then Silverdale, Washington, where Chuck started school and graduated from Central Kitsap High School in 1958
In his early years, Chuck worked for Boeing, had his own independent gas station and then joined the Washington State Patrol, from which he retired after 27 years. He then started his own business, Chuck's Bulldozing, operating for about 10 years while waiting for Lynda to retire.
Chuck was assigned to airplane maintenance when he joined the Marine Reserves in 1956. He was honorably discharged in 1961. His time in the reserves fueled his lifelong interest in airplanes, and he flew remote control airplanes for the rest of his life. He was a member of AMA, Clark County Radio Control Society in Vancouver and Pahrump Model Aviators in Nevada. His other activities included cars (he raced on a dirt track during his teen years), fishing both ocean and lakes as often as he could, RVing and quad riding in the Nevada deserts.
In 1998, he and Lynda bought a home in Pahrump, Nevada, and spent 23 winters there, from October to April each year where they enjoyed the companionship of many Nevada friends and family and many of the activities the Nevada desert provides.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society through its website or the Humane Society of Southwest Washington, 1100 NE 192nd Ave., Vancouver, Washington.
There will be a funeral at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. There will be refreshments in the hospitality room after the service.
