Charles Thissell, Chuck to his family and friends, has gone fishin’ and won’t be back. He left us Tuesday late morning March 26, 2016 at the age of 72, after defying doctor’s prognosis of impending death for the past five years. Stubborn, tenacious, not one to follow orders, Chuck never took the ALS or Lou Gerhig’s disease too seriously.

Chuck consider himself akin to a cat with nine lives. Every time he was sure he was done for — mine fields in Vietnam, getting shot at for a year on the front lines as an infantry solider, landing in Mexico after dark and having the local police surround the plane with guns waving knowing for sure that it was drugs not fish they were after, fixing that same plane with bailing wire and duct tape just to get back home, and then the disease that tried to take him out in later years,  he says that “God must have something else in mind for me, because, well here I am.” I guess God wanted to give my daddy a break, and take him home for a little R&R.

Chuck was born and raised in Eureka to Leland and Olive Thissell. He is the brother to LeeRoy Thissell (Virgina Thissell-Carter), Joseph Thissell (Patricia Thissell), Gary Thissell (Trev Griffith), Donna Thissell, Raymond Thissell, Ronnie Thissell, Denny Thissell (Sue Thissell) and Mary Hall-Matsushima (John Matsushima). He graduated from Eureka High and was Roller Hockey Captain up at the Clam Beach Roller Rink when he met my mama Sara. She was working on her figure skating, liked my daddy’s car, and the rest is history, as they were married for 50 years.

I am the only child, Tamela Christiansen. My husband Louis, Louie as dad called him, apparently could do no wrong, just ask his father-in-law. We collectively gave my parents six grandbabies, Kate Lindsey-Verndeev (Andrey Verendeev), Tessa Stephens (Seth Stephens), Joselyn Lindsey, Taylor Christiansen, Sarajane Christiansen and Aiden Christiansen. The first great-grandbaby is on the way due July 4th.

To say I am an only child is really not so true when you consider the children that Mom and Dad loved as their own. Tina Pucket, Monique Butler, Rashan Pearson and Heidi Zimprich made a permanent home in my dad’s heart. Then there are the nieces and nephews that loved their Uncle Chuck; Jerry Thissell and Jake Windes who literally paved my dad’s way in the last few years, Jim Thissell and Lori Larson were always in ear shot growing up, Annie Riley was continually harassed, and because Dad loved them all I will provide the roll call — Wendy Fisher, Ken Thissell, Shawn Thissell, Shane Thissell, Shannon Gunter, Terri Chandler, Andy Cluver, Christina Thissell, Jason Thissell, Joseph Matsushima, Amy Matsushima, Brooke Atchison and Kinsa Burnett. And dear Lord, we are prolific, there are many more with all the spouses and kids!

Chuck worked for Louisiana Pacific for years. He ran the sawmills in Samoa and Big Lagoon. He loved to fish on the lagoons and spend the summers up at the cabin on the Mad River with his family. After retiring he became an avid photographer, starting off with sports photos of every event his grandkids played in then moving on to wildlife, especially birds. The incredible team he had near the end of his life, Erin the occupational therapist from the VA and Brian from Western rehab, kept dad up and running with an electric wheel chair set up that accommodated his photo gear.

If one word was used to describe Chuck it would be generous. If he had it to give, it was gone to nearest person in need or want. Chuck and God were tight. There is no denying my dad’s faith. He was incredibly close to his Christian brothers and sisters from Westhaven Community Church, McKinleyville Baptist Church and the men’s group at Coastline Foursquare Church in Eureka. Dad would have my hide if I did not make mention of a close group of friends that faithfully visited dad and took care of my mom with hugs and meals and that is the Heynes, the Shumards, the Beadles, the Windes and the Knaufs. Chuck knew that God loved him, created him for a purpose and that was to love others. I, along with countless others can verify that Dad did his job here on earth and is now waiting for us to come join him to get one more photo op and land one more fish.

We miss you already, Chuck. Things are different without you. And although we take comfort in the knowledge that you are all happy as a bug in a rug, we are a little miffed that we have to do life without one of our most favorite men in the world. I suppose we will be with you soon enough, save us a fish or two.

All of the family and friends mentioned above would like to extend an invitation to those who would like to celebrate Chuck’s life to come on up to the Westhaven Chapel in Westhaven at 2:00 on Saturday Afternoon April 2, 2016. There will be a reception following up at the house. In lieu of flowers, bring a story, a beverage or finger food to share.

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The obituary above was submitted by Chuck Thissel’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.