Charles Alexander Grabeel of Hermiston passed away on March 2, 2024 surrounded by family and loved ones at the age of 73.
He was born on June 23, 1950 to Scollan and Loeta Grabeel in Springfield, Mo.
The Grabeel family made their way from Ava, Mo. to Pendleton in 1954. The family would spend the summers in Ava on the farm. In 1960 they moved to Hermiston. Charlie excelled at football, basketball, baseball, and track at Hermiston High School, where he graduated in 1969.
On May 20, 1972 he married Elizabeth Fae Trump in Hermiston, and they were married nearly 32 years before her passing on April 29, 2004. They were blessed with son Shane in 1970, son Cory in 1973 and daughter Staci in 1976. They had a great life together, moving to Coulee Dam, Wash. where he worked on the Grand Coulee Dam. Later they moved to Stanfield, where he farmed and worked for Les Schwab Tires. The family loved to spend time at the cabin in Meacham.
In 1990 his job took the family to Heppner, where he worked for the Forest Service, Morrow County Grain Growers and the Oregon Department of Transportation. He returned to Missouri for a few years to help his father work the farm and raise cattle. His children and grandchildren were thrilled when their Papa moved back to Hermiston.
He was always happy to support his grandkids at their school and sporting events. Helping others brought him joy. He was never without a sweet treat to share.
Charlie enjoyed the outdoors. He spent the majority of his spare time in the mountains, hunting and cutting firewood. To this day, no one knows how many cords of wood he actually cut, but it’s up there. He was still hunting and running the chain saw at the age of 73, doing what he loved.
Charlie is survived by his brother, Keith Grabeel and wife Cindy; son, Shane Grabeel and wife Cheryl; granddaughter, Zoee Okazaki-Grabeel and husband Cory; and great-granddaughter, Aurora; son, Cory Grabeel and wife Misty; grandchildren, Joshua, Caleb, and Savanna; daughter, Staci Harrison and husband Ben; grandsons, Xander, Braxton, and Parker; daughter, Kellee Stubbs and husband Todd; grandchildren, Cabot Metz and Kristin Walker and husband Nicholas; son, Tom Deussen and wife Marsha; grandchildren, Stephen and wife Samantha, Michael; Brittany and husband Sean; Taylor and husband Jaron, and Samantha; and great-grandchildren, Stephen Jr., Ryder, Lily, and Jackson. He is also survived by many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and dear friend Caliene Smith.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Liz; parents, Scollan and Loeta Grabeel; and brother, Eddie Grabeel.
A graveside burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 7 at the Hermiston Cemetery. Please wear your best bibs. A potluck will follow at Charlie’s.
