1919-2008

Just eight days after the death of his wife, Charles Douglass died of a broken heart on Wednesday, July 16, at St. Peter’s Hospital. The couple is now reunited and dancing together before their Lord.

Charles Frederick Douglass was born to Stephen and Sarah (Porter) Douglass on Oct. 7, 1919, in Sidney. He graduated from Sidney High School in 1937 at age 17. Chuck worked at the Holly Sugar Factory in Sidney, hitchhiked to California in 1941, and was drafted into the Army and hitchhiked back to Sidney. He was inducted into the Army on June 19, 1941, at Fort Missoula and sent to Fort Riley, Kan., for training in the horse cavalry. The horse cavalry was disbanded in 1942 to armored cavalry, and Chuck spent the next two years patrolling the West Coast of Oregon, Washington and California on horseback.

After Alice McChesney boarded a train in Sidney, making her way to Tacoma, Wash., the sweethearts were married on Oct. 21, 1942, where Chuck borrowed $12 from her to buy her a wedding ring. Alice wore that ring for 65 years until the day of her death. In 1944, Chuck enlisted in the Airborne and was sent to France as a replacement for the 82nd Airborne 508th parachute infantry. He was in Germany when the war ended, was discharged in 1945, and returned home to Sidney and his bride in 1945.

In 1947, Chuck went to work for Valley Motor Supply as a machinist and counterman, but was soon promoted to salesman in 1949. Chuck and Alice had their children, Charles Michael, Linda Rae, Jeffrey Dean, Bonnie Ann and Shelley Kay, in Sidney. When Chuck was promoted in 1960, the family made the move to open a new Valley Motor Supply store in Helena, and it was here Chuck and Alice made their home for the rest of their lives. Chuck retired from Valley Motor Supply in 1984. The couple traveled to Hawaii and Jamaica and enjoyed being together no matter where they were.

Chuck was good at anything he put his hand to and competitive in whatever he tried. He loved horseshoes, golf, any card game and bowling. In 2002, at age 82, Chuck bowled in the ABC National Bowling Tournament in Billings on the Octogenarian Team made up of men older than 80 and was the highest scorer on the team.

Another pleasure for Chuck was the home on Canyon Ferry Lake that he and Alice had until the mid-1980s. While in his 70s, he entertained his family by doing flips off the diving board and skiing barefoot. But the thing Chuck enjoyed the most was being with his kids, grandkids and great grandkids - his face lit up with delight and joy whenever they were in his presence or even just spoken of.

If you ask his family what they treasure about their dad and grandpa, you will hear things like: instilled a good work ethic, went out of his way to love you, unselfish, giving, integrity in everything, could fix anything, loved babies, avid reader, enjoyed bluebirds and hummingbirds, and loved his wife with passion. It is not easy to say good-bye to a man who has impacted your life like Chuck. The legacy of love, commitment and integrity will continue on for years to come. Thank you, Dad and Grandpa, for being such an example to us!

Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; his parents; infant daughter Bonnie; youngest daughter Shelley in 2007; son-in-law Bill; infant great-granddaughter Lacey; brothers Neil and Donald; and sisters Shirley and Martha. He is survived by son Chuck (Bartha) Douglass, Great Falls; daughter Linda (Dick) Cortright, Denver, Colo.; son Jeff (Linda) Douglass, Helena; eight grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.

A graveside memorial service with military honors was held July 21, 2008, at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. Memorials may be sent to the Covenant United Methodist Church Building Fund, 2330 E. Broadway, Helena, MT 59601.

A man of such stature and integrity will never be forgotten. We love you!