Charles Donald Bowlsby, 80, died at VA Medical Center, in Marion, Indiana, on Wednesday, November 1, 2017. Charles was born on November 28, 1936, in Redding, California, to the late Charles and Georgia (Anderson) Bowlsby. He graduated high school in 1954, then pursued a 2 year college degree. Charles worked as an assistant district forester in Oregon, where he fought fires, developed firefighters, and worked towards fire prevention. He served in the Army from 1960 to 1966, where he studied cryptography. Charles enjoyed woodworking and spending time in the mountains, as well as collecting coins and looking through change. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and gambling.
Charles is survived by nine children, Kim Axtell, OR, Steven Bowlsby, ID, Doug (Mary) Bowlsby, CA, Tony Bowlsby, OR, Angela (Todd) Steffen, TX, David (Christie) Mingo, OR, Bobi (Kevin) Pavey, Gas City, IN, Matt Mingo, OR, and Ryen Mingo, WA; one sister, Nancy (Henry) Seideman, OR; 21 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Georgia Bowlsby, and sister, Ruth (Cal) Ketchum.
Arrangements for Charles have been entrusted to Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services Fairmount Chapel, 415 S. Main St., Fairmount, Indiana. In accordance with Charles’s wishes, there will be no services. Contributions made in his memory may be made to the funeral home to help with expenses. Online condolences may be left at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com.