Gilbert E. Charles Jr.

Gilbert E. Charles Jr. 29, died on Friday, December 27, 2024. Gilbert was born December 30, 1994, in Lakewood, Washington to Gilbert, Sr. and Janiece (Franks) Blum. Gilbert graduated from Rochester High School, Rochester, Washington in 2013. He attended Glendale Community College in Glendale, Arizona and studied Geology. In 2014 he came home to the Elochoman Valley to assist with caring for his grandparents Fredrick and Jane Charles, and to start his career in Natural Resources Management.

We lost a son, a friend, and a true steward of nature. Gilbert was a knowledgeable individual who dedicated his life to protecting and celebrating the outdoors. His love for nature was evident in everything he did, and he worked tirelessly to make the natural world more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Gilbert's gift for sharing his passion, often delighted others as he shared fun facts about animals and plant life.

Gilbert loved all things mechanical and could often be found tinkering with projects driven by his curiosity and skill. As an avid outdoorsman, he cherished the time he spent fishing and hunting with his grandfathers and father; forming bonds which shaped his future as a steward of the land. His love for woodworking, nurtured by his grandfathers, reflected his creative and meticulous nature. His hobbies included photography, drawing, painting, playing guitar, banjo, and violin.

These experiences laid the foundation for his career in conservation. Gilbert joined the Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) as a crew member with the Department of Ecology, further solidifying his dedication to environmental stewardship. He went on to serve with the United States Forest Service as a Wildland Firefighter, a role that highlighted his courage and commitment to protecting our natural resources. In April 2024, Gilbert worked as a Park Ranger I at Columbia Hills Historical State Park. His legacy includes authoring the reforestation project for Columbia Hills Historical State Park, Maryhill Winery, and Horsethief Lake State Park-an enduring contribution to the environment he so loved. He was then hired by Idaho State Parks as a Park Ranger at Ponderosa State Park located in McCall, Idaho.

Professionally, Gilbert's dedication to the outdoors was clear in his career. He excelled as a salesperson at Sportsman Warehouse in Kelso, specializing in optics, fishing, and camping. He served as a fish hatchery technician for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and as a firefighting technician at the McNary National Wildlife Refuge under the U.S. Department of Interior. Gilbert also worked as a Senior Park Aide at Seaquest State Park and as a Ranger I at Camp Wooten Retreat Center's Environmental Learning Center.

His humor was infectious, capable of lifting spirits even in the toughest moments. Gilbert's inquisitive nature drove him to pursue knowledge relentlessly, whether it was practicing the violin with conviction or immersing himself in the details of the natural world. He approached life with purpose and followed through on his plans with remarkable determination.

He embraced community efforts and conservation causes, becoming a ham radio operator alongside Ron Wright with the Amateur Ham Radio Club in Cathlamet, Washington. Gilbert activelparticipating in "Eyes in the Woods Association," where he trained to observe, document, and report natural resource crimes. Gilbert brought joy and education to children by dressing as Smokey the Bear to teach wildfire awareness in Darrington, Washington. Gilbert's commitment to nature, his unrelenting curiosity, and his ability to connect with others left an indelible mark on everyone he met. He was also a member of the Grays River Grange in Grays River, Washington.

Gilbert, Jr. is preceded in death by his grandparents, Fredrick and Jane Charles of Elochoman Valley. Grandfather, Richard Franks of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.Gilbert is survived by his father Gilbert Charles, Sr. of Elochoman Valley, and mother Janiece (Franks) Blum of Phoenix, Arizona, Aunt Kellie Svoboda of Cypress, Texas, Great Aunt Louise Courtright of Castle Rock, Washington, Grandmother Louise Franks, Uncle Richard Franks of Midwest City, Oklahoma, sister Cara Charles of Milwaukie, Wisconsin, step-brother Tommy Herrell, III, cousins; Marlana and Charles Svoboda, Stevie Molina and numerous cousins in Oklahoma.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Rivermile 38 Brewery on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Washington State Parks or plant a tree.