In loving memory of Charles LeDuc: 1929-2026

He was the eldest of six siblings born to Francis and Carla LeDuc. Like many families of that era, they moved many times until finally settling in Centralia, where he graduated from Centralia High School in 1947, then attended Centralia College.

He met Norma Lee Teeter in high school, and on Oct. 8, 1949, they were married. They remained inseparable for 73 years until her passing Dec. 23, 2022. Together they raised three children: Cindy, Tim and Susan.

In 1954, he and his brother Neil opened LeDuc Bros Chevron, which they operated together until his retirement in 1983, when Chuck sold his share of the business to Neil’s oldest son, Randy LeDuc.

Chuck and Norma both believed in giving back to their community. During his working career, that was mainly done through the Knights of Columbus and St. Mary's Catholic Church.

After his retirement, they spent two years in the Peace Corps on the island country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where he served as a business adviser to farmers. After the Peace Corps, they continued to live in Centralia and volunteer with the American Red Cross disaster team, which took them to several locations across the United States.

In 2001, they moved to the Missoula, Montana, area to be near their two daughters. Once settled there, Chuck continued his volunteer work and was chosen twice as Volunteer of the Year by the Missoula Food Bank & Community Center. Even after moving into assisted living after Norma’s death, he continued volunteering, calling bingo five days a week for the other residents. He was beloved by his fellow residents and was elected president of the Residents Council, where his leadership was much appreciated.

Chuck was an avid outdoorsman and loved camping, hunting and fishing, as well as clam digging. Some of his fondest memories were of backpacking with Norma, fishing on the Queets River, and being registered in the Boone and Crockett Club record book for a bull moose he took in Alberta, Canada, in 1973.

He is survived by his three children: Cindy LeDuc Jimmerson of Missoula, Montana; Tim LeDuc (and Lesa Balmelli LeDuc) of Chehalis, Washington; and Susan LeDuc Hess (and Marvin Hess) of Victor, Montana; as well as six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

At this time, there will only be a private ceremony.

Remembrances may be made in care of the American Red Cross.