Charles Donald Gilchrist III

Charles Donald Gilchrist died Sunday, June 25, at the age of 75 after a hard fought battle with cancer.

Charles Donald Gilchrist was born July 31, 1941, in Leavenworth to Charles and Lucille (Belles) Gilchrist. He has a brother, Michael Lee Gilchrist, and three sisters, Patricia, Georgia Mae (deceased) and Linda Kay; and brother-in laws Greg and Adrian, and sister-in-laws Gina, Antonette, and Darlene.

He is survived by his wife Dolores “Flower” Gilchrist, who enjoyed a 47-year marriage. Together they raised their two sons Jeffery and Damion. They enjoyed camping, the mountains, and traveling together. They loved playing with their beloved English Bulldog Roscoe and later their adopted kitten Baby Spice.

Children from a previous marriage include Donny, Jeannie and Michelle. He has numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and honorary grandchildren to include Maceo, Mila and Zoe Washines; Hillary and Brooklyn; and Dustin (deceased).

Charles had a long and successful career with the railroad. He worked 41 years for Spokane Portland and Seattle Railways, Burlington Northern Railroad, and Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad.

His career started on the Oregon trunk in Sinamox, Oregon, as a signal helper. He worked numerous positions, including signal maintainer, and signal foreman. He worked in many locations across Washington and Oregon.

Charles retired from the railroad in July 2000. Charles’ son Jeffery became the fifth generation of Gilchrist men to work for the railroad.

His son Damion has a successful career as a Pipeline maintainer. His work takes him to all parts of Montana, Oregon, and Idaho and even as far away as Illinois.

Charles is known for his ease of story telling, his skills as a carpenter, his love for fishing, camping and hunting, his love of Rock and Roll, and was always the life of any party.

He leaves behind many friends. Charles began working to rebuild the 1902 Sitton House in Washtucna in 1970. He and his wife Dolores worked together with no loans to completely rebuild the house from scratch and made a loving home for their two boys.

Visitation will be at noon at Washtucna Community Church on Friday, July 7, and followed by a Funeral service at 1 p.m.

Immediately following the services, please join the family at the Grange in Washtucna for a potluck to share stories and celebrate Charles’ life. Arrangements are entrusted to Danekas Funeral Home-Ritzville.