Charles K. “Chuck” Brighton of Hermiston, former longtime Kelso, Wash. resident, died on Aug. 9, 2022 in Hermiston at the age of 87.
He was born on March 31, 1935 in Bellingham, Wash. to George and Alice Kerley Brighton.
Chuck was the youngest of three sons, joining Fred and Robert, weighing in at just three pounds. He was so small that they placed him in the wood fire oven to keep him warm. The joke was that he was half baked. As a young child he, brother Fred and their mother, Alice were diagnosed with polio and they spent three months in the hospital. Chuck and Fred were terrors in the hospital, and he continued to raise a ruckus through his youth. At the age of 16 he was given two options: join the military or go to jail. He enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 16, and on March 31, 1952 he joined the Navy, where met Robert Benford, who told him to write his younger sister Doris. They were pen pals for 16 months before they finally met in person. They fell in love and were married on June 12, 1954. He served until his honorable discharge in 1959.
By this time, he and Doris had welcomed their three daughters, Susan, Doreen and Shawn. He worked for various companies, including Hyster, Tollycraft in yacht construction, and Simpson Timber. Chuck finally found a home with the city of Kelso in the public works department. He worked for the city in various positions for 25 years, as well as serving as a reserve police officer for seven years. After retiring, they moved to the beach and lived there for 3-1/2 years. They missed being near family and moved to Toledo, Wash., just down the road from their daughter, Doreen. Later, Doris needed a dryer climate and their daughter, Shawn lived in Boardman, so they moved to Hermiston in 2007.
Chuck loved the Lord and walked with Him every day. He was a beloved and proud member of the Solid Rock Church in Hermiston. Chuck was an amazing husband, father and grandfather. He was one of the good ones. Go in peace, Charles.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Doris Brighton, Hermiston; daughters, Susan Nichols, Hermiston, Doreen Fleetwood, Toledo, Wash. and Shawn Kornegay, Bay City; brother, Fred Brighton, Bellingham, Wash.; nine grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Brighton.
A graveside service with military honors will be held on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022 at 1 p.m. at Longview Memorial Park, Longview, Wash.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022 at 1 p.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel, Hermiston.
Please share memories of Chuck with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
