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Charles F. Shirley Jr.

Feb. 21, 1940 — Dec. 29, 2017

Charles “Chuck” passed away on Dec. 29, 2017, surrounded by family. He was born and raised in Picher, Okla., to Charles Sr. and Lois (West) Shirley. He was the eldest of four children, James, Michael and Carol, and he always placed his family before himself. Chuck had a keen engineering mind and could perform any task simply by reading it from the pages of a book; if he didn’t have a book, he would make one.

He left high school early to serve in the United States Navy as a boiler man aboard the U.S.S. Rich. Afterward, he began his career in power generation in Glendale, Calif., where he met and married Linda Banks and started a family of four children, Matthew, Charles III, Rebecca (deceased) and Christopher. Searching for “cleaner air” to raise kids, Charles relocated his family to the tranquil area of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He worked in area sawmills for several years and attended night courses at North Idaho College.

In the early 1970s, The Montana Power Company began construction on Units 1 and 2 in Colstrip, Mont. This gave him the opportunity to further his career in power generation, while still keeping the small town, clean air atmosphere Linda and he had come to treasure. He joined Montana Power, Colstrip in 1973 and worked his way through the ranks until retiring early in 1996. Not content with retirement, he toured the country from the cab of a big rig for several years before fully retiring in Hayden, Idaho. He enjoyed western movies, classic TV, woodworking, welding, target shooting, fishing, working on cars (and showing his Cadillac), attending car shows, buying, repairing, and selling small engine powered equipment (mostly buying) and relaxing with family.

Charles is preceded in death by his daughter, Rebecca; brother, James and father, Charles Sr. He is survived by his mother, Lois Davis; brother, Michael; sister, Carol; his loving wife of 56 years, Linda; his children, Matthew (Barbara), Charles III (Karen) and Christopher (Kari); grandchildren by Matthew, Aaron, Elizabeth, Danielle and Caleb; grandchildren by Christopher, Rebecca, Emily, Abigail, Adam and Noah; one great-grandchild by Rebecca, Paysen; and many nieces and nephews.

Quote:”… if you can read it, and understand it, you can do anything!”

If you wish, donations may be made to Schneidmiller Hospice House, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’ Alene, ID 83815, in Charles’ name.

Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Charles’ memorial and sign his online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.