Charles R. Cook passed away Sept. 5, 2022, at Fairhill Family Home in Centralia at the age of 93. He was born in Chehalis on Jan. 27, 1929, and attended school at Winlock and Napavine, graduating from Napavine High School in 1947.
Charles enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950 and was stationed in Thailand, England, Greenland, Guam, Nebraska, California, and Othello, Washington. He retired from the service in 1971 as a staff sergeant.
After retiring from military service, he was employed as a desk clerk at the St. Helens Hotel in Chehalis until it closed as a hotel in 1976. That same year, he began work as a desk clerk at Nendels Motel in Chehalis and was there until 1994.
Preceding him in death was Carl Cook, his father, who died in 1966 and Minnie Hill, his mother, who died in 1993. His step-mother, Selma Cook, died in December 2000.
He is survived by his sisters Carleen Lee and Helen Gomez, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Charles loved to watch sports and was an avid fan of the Mariners, Huskies, Seahawks and the Sonics.
A viewing will be held on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, from 2-5 p.m. at Sticklin Funeral Chapel. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 225 N. Washington Ave., Centralia, Washington, where Charles was a member for many years. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sticklin Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Veterans Memorial Museum, 100 SW Veterans Way, Chehalis, Washington, in memory of Charles.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Fairhill Adult Family Home, with a special thanks to Kersha, for the wonderful care he was given and a special thanks to Assured Home Healthcare for his hospice care. A special thanks to Debbie Aust for everything she did for Charles. She went above and beyond for him.
Internment will be at Claquato Cemetery followed by a celebration of life at the Veterans Museum in Chehalis. A luncheon will be provided.
