Charlie E. “Chuck” Gee of Richland, Wash., former longtime Dallas resident, died on Jan. 29, 2022 in Moses Lake, Wash. at the age of 74.
He was born on Sept. 16, 1947 in Lebanon.
Chuck lived in multiple places growing up, most notably Anchorage, Alaska in the early ‘50s and Kinzua, a small mill town in northeast Oregon. He graduated from McMinnville High School in 1965. Chuck worked for General Telephone installing telephone equipment along the coast, until he was drafted in 1967. Chuck served in the United States Army during Vietnam in the Infantry Division until his honorable discharge in 1969. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his service. His wounds never healed, impacting the rest of his life.
Upon his return, Chuck worked at Depoe Bay Telephone Company and served as assistant fire chief. After attending Chemeketa Community College, he started Zero Gee Electronics store in Corvallis. While in Depoe Bay, he met Laurie Bevens at an air show. They married on Sept. 2, 1978 in Dallas. They made their home around Dallas until moving to Richland, Wash. in 2007 to be close to family.
In Chuck’s later years, he started writing and publishing science fiction short stories and flash fiction. He entered Lake Ridge Care Center in July 2019 because of dementia and other health issues.
He is survived by his wife, Laurie Gee, Richland, Wash.; daughter, Andrea (Matt) Conrady, Richland, Wash.; son, Charley (Kara Bredahl) Gee, Portland; grandchildren, Madelynn, Annelie and Caroline Conrady and Thomas and Katherine Bredahl-Gee; brother, Bill (Bonnie) Gee, Colton; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland.
Please share memories of Chuck with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
