Charles Wayne Caldwell, 87, a Montesano and Grays Harbor resident for 80 years, passed away Dec. 23, 2019, in Montesano. Born Jan. 29, 1932, in Westport, Washington, to the late Wayne H. and Loleta (Sampson) Caldwell, Chuck spent his life doing for others.
Mr. Caldwell attended Ocosta High School and served as a corpsman in the U.S. Navy with the Marines at Camp Pendleton, California, where he met and then married the love of his life of 61 years, Linda May, in 1956. After Caldwell’s discharge, the couple lived in Westport and he operated a charter boat. In 1958, they moved to California, where he managed the Malibu Pier and Paradise Cove Sport Fishing Pier, both in Malibu. In 1961, the Caldwells returned to the Harbor, eventually settling in Montesano to raise their family. Caldwell was chief real estate appraiser for the county for five years, then branch manager and regional vice president for Capital Savings and Loan. He has owned Price and Price Real Estate in Montesano for the past 49-plus years. Mr. Caldwell is the grandson of Byron Caldwell, one of six brothers who established a successful logging enterprise in Grays Harbor County in 1883, who became known as the “Caldwell Big 6.”
During his lifetime, Chuck was a member of or involved in many community organizations and clubs. He was a member in the Montesano Baptist Church, an active member in the Montesano Moose Lodge, served as a chairman of the Montesano School Board, Co-Founder of Friends Landing with his brother George, was a five-time recipient of the Trout Unlimited Sportsman of the Year for the Grays Harbor Chapter, served as chairman of Grays Harbor County Planning Commission, served as president of the Montesano Chamber of Commerce, president of the Montesano Lions Club, and was president of the F.C and Ruth V. Kelsey Foundation. Chuck served for 16 years as a commissioner for the Port of Grays Harbor, something he took great pride in. Chuck was known communitywide as a generous man who had a smile you would never forget. Chuck’s commitment to making the Harbor a place where future generations could prosper was very important to him. This is just a small example of Chuck’s involvement and commitment to his community. Chuck was an avid sportsman and community civic leader, but most of all, he was a family man. He is survived by his four children, Loni Crass (Steve), Steve Caldwell (Shannon), Kim Lillegard (Harvey) all of Montesano and Michelle Jewell of Spokane, 12 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and numerous loving family members. Chuck was preceded in death by his wife Linda and brother George Caldwell.
A celebration of life/open house will be held Jan. 24, 2020, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Montesano Moose Lodge. There will be a free shuttle service from the north east corner of the Thriftway parking lot to and from the Moose Lodge. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Montesano Volunteer Fire Department or the Montesano Moose Lodge Scholarship Fund. To share memories or express condolences please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com. Harrison Family Mortuary is honored to assist the family.
