Charles was born Dec. 1, 1931, in Randle, Washington, to Roy and Evelyn McCabe. His family moved to Anchorage, Alaska, when he was a teen, where he started his career as a heavy equipment operator. Charles was drafted into the U.S. Navy at 19, where he became a Seabee.
Charles met and married his first wife, Edith “Sally,” in 1958 after he left the Navy. They had three children, Robert, Eric and Julie. After Sally’s long illness and death, he married Helen Cole, who brought four children, Jerry, Cheryl, Julie and Christy, into the family.
Charles operated heavy equipment for more than 40 years and retired from the Clark County Road Department in 1991. He spent his retirement years fishing, crabbing, wintering in Yuma, Arizona, growing a large garden every year, and making his specialty salsa and pickles that everyone loved.
He had many friends and enjoyed life to the fullest.
Charles was preceded in death by his sister, Betty, and his first wife, Sally. He is survived by his wife, Helen; three children; four stepchildren; 21 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren.
He will be missed.
A graveside service will be held June 12 at 11 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Battle Ground Event Center.
