Charles Edward Anderson passed away peacefully in the place he cherished most — his home — on Aug. 8, 2025.
Charlie was born on Oct. 9, 1952, in Chehalis, Washington, to Earl Anderson and Silvia (Good) Anderson. He is survived by his loyal brother, Ron Anderson. In these later years, if you saw one brother, you could guarantee the other was not far behind. They were a beloved pair who left your heart full after every conversation. He is also survived by many other loved family members, including nieces and nephews.
Charlie was the youngest of nine siblings: Herb, Pete, Maxine, Janet, Agnes, John, Nelda and Ron. They grew up together on the family farm on Newaukum Hill in Chehalis. He graduated from Chehalis High School in 1970, and in 1987 he moved to his property in Onalaska.
If you had the opportunity to know Charlie, you would know that he could make a friend anywhere he went with his larger-than-life personality. Many of those friends became some of the most important people in his life, and he was never shy about telling you the story of how he met them, what they meant to him and that he loved them.
Charlie was the ultimate adrenaline junkie in his younger days. As the youngest of the clan, he grew tough and followed in his brothers’ footsteps — hunting, fishing, motorcycle racing and playing intramural sports. He was competitive and loved to tell you he was the best — and in fact, he was the best at many things. Telling jokes was probably at the top of that list, and if you know, you know.
He worked multiple jobs in his younger years until he found his true calling as an old-school journeyman tree trimmer/lineman. His most beloved job was with his dear friends at Hamilton Spray, starting around 1978 until he retired. While he worked as a groundsman for a while — something he didn’t enjoy — he was happiest up a pole. He became one of the most reliable, hardworking and well-respected employees they had, climbing and spraying poles in all weather conditions across Montana, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, North Dakota and South Dakota. He earned everyone’s respect with his incredible work ethic, once spraying up to 68 poles in a single day.
He thrived on the schedule the job provided: working hard for months on end on the road, then coming home to do what he loved — fishing, hunting, berry picking and spending time with his brothers, family and friends, living life on his terms. Those Anderson brothers and their Chevy step-side pickups were a strong presence — from the surrounding mountains to the local watering hole in the good old days.
Charlie was the quintessential fisherman — both in his expertise and his legendary ability to “BS and tell stories.” Many were fortunate enough to sit in Charlie’s shop and listen to story after story about his hunting adventures in the mountains of Pe Ell, prime fishing days on the Newaukum, and the love he had for his family and friends. Whether the stories were embellished to his recollection or not, we’ll never know. But these are memories that those who cherished him most will think about forever.
A good quote for Charlie:
"’Cause I’ve got friends in low places,
Where the whiskey drowns
And the beer chases my blues away,
And I’ll be okay.
I’m not big on social graces,
Think I’ll slip on down to the oasis.
Oh, I’ve got friends in low places.”
Charlie will never be forgotten by those blessed to call him a friend. He was truly one of a kind and deeply loved.
With a big smile and a one-eyed wink, “We will see you again, partner.”
A Celebration of Life for Charlie will be held at Newaukum Grange on Sept. 6, 2025, from 1 to 3 p.m.
