Charles D. Dunham

Charlie went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 10, 2016. At 94 years young, he went peacefully, surrounded by family.

Charlie was born in Jackson, Mich. to Lorenzo Alvy and Matilda Ceroska Dunham, on May 17, 1921, and joined sister Eva who was 9 years older.

He grew up in Jackson, Mich., and was able to make many train trips with his father who worked for the railroad. One of the trips was to the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933; another was to Detroit to pick up a brand new 1928 Model A Ford, which they drove off of the assembly line. The Model A “Lizzy” is still in his sister’s family.

He graduated from Jackson High School, and joined the Navy on Valentine’s Day 1940. He was stationed in Seattle and fell in love with Washington State; he called it his home ever since.

During the war, he was sent to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska where he was a radio man on a PBY airplane and was stationed on the USS Teel.

After the war, he eventually found a career in real estate, where he bought, sold and developed property in Seattle and later on Whidbey, his island paradise.

He was instrumental in starting the multiple listing service on South Whidbey. He also started the United Good Neighbors charity on Whidbey Island and was the first president in 1970.

He is survived by his wife Mary Jane; his five children, Dennis, John, Dan, Dave and Mary; 10 grandchildren; as well as great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his step-children, Hawley, Adrian, Cheryl, Robert, Cindy, Jack, Dina and Kristi and their children.

He is deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

There will be a celebration of life at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland.

In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to the M-Bar-C Ranch Forgotten Children’s Fund at www.m-bar-c.com.