Charles Oliver Eastman passed away June 23, 2004 at Cariboo Memorial Hospital at the age of 76 years old.
Charles was born February 19, 1928 at home in Griffen Creek, Alberta to John Wesley and Margarit May Eastman. His schooling was at Grey Eagle (south of Brownvale) then to Brownvale when Grey Eagle closed. He went on to Vermillion School of Agriculture for one year.
He married Nancie Joan Staples of Last Lake, Alberta April 20, 1954 at Brownvale Presbyterian Church.
They had six children David (Lenore) of Red Deer Alberta, Dwayne of Fort St. James, Jim (Rose) of Spokin Lake, Ray (Flo) of Kaleden, Gloria and Roger of Williams Lake.
Charles adored his six grandchildren Krista-Leigh Petrin, Vincent Petrin, Philip Knapp, Alyx Simms, Rayce and Teanna Eastman.
Charles worked at Union Tractor in Grimshaw from 1952-53. He tried his hand on the green-chain at the Quesnel lumber mill. He hauled water for different oil companies in the Red Earth and Fort Nelson areas.
Both Charlie and Nancie cooked for Fortier and Northey and Devon Oil for oil outfit men from 1954-56. They farmed in Brownvale, Alberta, first with father and son John then he bought land and farmed for himself from 1956-73.
He raised over 100 sheep, milked between six and eight cows, had a few chickens, lots of pigs and a goat.
Charlie had asthma so was told many times to move off the farm and find other employment. That was a hard decision as he loved the land. He moved to Williams Lake to do carpenter work in 1973. He worked in house construction for Gordon Swift and finally Mike Gibson.
When the housing boom quit, he applied for custodial work at Mountview School where he worked for 13-and-a-half years until retirement.
Charlie’s first love was fishing. When he wasn’t fishing he bowled, camped, and did carpenter projects like tables, dog boxes, ice huts, wishing wells, wheels, etc. He enjoyed intarsia, lattice work, and gardening. He loved his fish pond in the backyard. Charlie won honourable mention twice for Christmas lighting. He loved to decorate for Halloween. He also loved animals, especially Brandy, the next door neighbours dog.
A finch had built a nest in the bird feeder outside the living room window so he could watch it at the time of his death. His woodworking whirly-bird and ornaments can be found scattered throughout B.C., Alberta, California, and New Zealand.
Special thanks to the doctors and nurses of Royal Inland Hospital of Kamloops and Cariboo Memorial Hospital. Your kindness was, and is, appreciated. Many thanks to all those who brought food to our house. To the people who were involved in sending flowers and cards too.
Special thanks to all the people involved in providing lunch at the Seniors’ Activity Centre in Williams Lake, and to the Last Lake Ladies Aid who looked after the Brownvale Centre luncheon.
Thanks to the families who prepared and served supper July 2. Many thanks to those who donated to the B.C. Lung Association through La Prairie Funeral Services from Williams Lake and Peace River Chapel of Memories in charge of arrangements.
Interment was in Griffin Lake Cemetery where his parents are buried. Donations will be accepted by Griffen Creek Cemetery Fund.