Charles (Charlie) Albert Womack passed away peaceful- ly on December 30, 2024, at age 101, in Eureka, after a brief illness.

Charlie was born at home near Pineville, Louisiana, and at age one traveled in a Ford Model T to Northern California with his parents, grandmother, and aunt and uncle. The trip took over a month, stopping to sleep at friendly farmers’ houses.

They settled in Crannell, where his father worked at the Little River Redwood Company. As a teenager, Charlie delivered milk door-to-door.

Charlie served in WWII as a Navy Seaman 2nd Class radio operator aboard a Liberty ship in the Pacific Ocean. The ship visited Guam, New Guinea, Hawaii, and Australia. After the war, he used the GI Bill to study accounting.

Charlie met his future wife, Marguerite, at Arcata First Baptist Church youth group. They were married in 1949 and settled in the Sunnybrae area of Arcata where they lived for over 65 years and raised their three children. He applied for a mechanic’s job at PC Sacchi Chevrolet in Arcata, but the bookkeeper had just resigned so he was given that position, which he held for over 25 years.

His final employment was at Opie’s Cars in McKinleyville. He was an entrepreneur, owning the Stump House in Eureka, building the Arcata Carwash, owning several rental properties and a laundromat, all while working full-time at various car dealers in accounting.

After becoming empty nesters, he and Marguerite enjoyed years of square dancing and going to garage sales. They travelled to Hawaii twice, enjoyed cruises, and made long road trips to visit family well into their golden years.

He was predeceased by his wife, Marguerite, in 2017, his sister Gloria, and his parents Watson and Willie. Survivors include his three children: Leland (Margaret) of Escondido, California; Barry (Claudia) of Joseph, Oregon; Cheryl Maple (John) of Eureka; seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

We would like to thank the caring staff at Timber Ridge Care in Eureka, where he lived his last years. Charlie will be fondly remembered for his kind, gentle nature, sense of humor, and positive outlook. He rarely complained and made the best of whatever came his way. A private memorial service is planned.