Longtime Southeast resident Charles Henry Christian dies at 87

Charles Henry Christian, 87, passed away on April 27, 2025, in Wrangell. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer.

A private service will be held later this summer for family and friends.

Charles Henry Christian was born in Morton, Washington, to William and Marie Christian on Dec. 26, 1937. He went to school in Elbe, Washington.

He left home at 17 and headed north to Alaska on a tugboat out of Seattle. When he turned 18, Charles joined the Navy, serving from 1956 through 1960 on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Midway. He then went back to the Elbe area, where he married Dorothy Boyd from Mineral, Washington.

In 1962, Charles and Dorothy headed north to Petersburg. Soon after arriving, he went to work for Reid Brothers Logging in Thomas Bay. Since then, Charles worked either in road construction or logging throughout Southeast Alaska. "He was known as the best cat skinner around," his family wrote. He officially retired at the young age of 75. His last employer was B.W. Enterprises in Wrangell.

After retirement, he enjoyed more fishing and hunting. He always had advice on anything concerning hunting or fishing and pretty much anything else. Even after retirement Charles could be seen visiting all of his friends, driving out the road to check on Thoms Creek or scoping out timber for firewood. He always took the time to chat with anyone along the way. He had many stories about the good old days in Southeast Alaska.

Charles was preceded in death by both of his parents, William and Marie Christian; uncle Ed Wood; aunt Vivian Wood; and sister Betty Christian.

He is survived by wife Dorothy Christian; sons Brian Christian (Trista) and Ernie Christian (Rhonda); daughter Brenda Christian; nephew Kenny Christian; grandsons Brian Christian Jr. (Laura), Michael Christian (Lacy), William Thomas; granddaughter Serina Thomas; great-grandsons Bryson Christian, Carsyn Christian; great-granddaughter Ashlyn Christian; cousins Eddie Wood (Suzi), Kathy Wood, Lanorma Pedmore (David), Glenna Clark; and many friends.