Charles (Charlie) Leonard Dame, 87, of Eureka, passed away on June 9, 2025 after a long battle with cancer.

Charlie was born in a very small town in Colorado on Jan. 31, 1938. His family moved to Klamath when he was a boy. Charlie attended high school in Crescent City, where he graduated. At the age of 20 he married Beverly A. Hazen and they moved from Klamath to Mckinleyville and then to Eureka in 1981.

Charlie started his own business while working for Nielsen Freight Lines/Teamsters Union by taking his wood turnings to the Bay Area to find potential businesses to buy his products. Charlie loved turning on the lathe and creating beautiful redwood items such as bud vases and lovely bowls as well as rolling pins.

Eventually he was able to retire and continue working for himself with his wholesale business, Charlie’s Woodcraft, for the past 45 years. One of his largest accounts he had was Muir Woods, which is a National Monument in Mill Valley. Muir Woods allowed Charlie’s products to be sold to the many tourists that visited the National Monument from all over the world. His products were one of the top sellers because his work was done to perfection with great care.

Charlie was a hardworking and honest man with a big heart. He and his wife had two children — Charles L. Dame Jr., age 64, and wife Victoria, age 66, of Reno; and daughter Annette Dame, age 62, of Eureka. Grandaughter: Stacey L. Wilkinson, age 38, of Eureka; great-grandson Daxton D., age 6, of Eureka.

Charlie will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was truly one of a kind and touched the lives of many in our community. Charlie was always open to helping another person out who wanted help with getting into the woodworking business or any other way he might be of help. He was a smart business minded man with vision that looked out for his children and grandchildrens’ future. Many times he helped his children and grandchildren with advice and funds to help better their lives and success. A very wise and giving father and grandpa.

I think what will be missed the most about my dad is being able to speak to him and get advice from him. Knowing you could always count on him to give you the best way to deal with something, to lose this is very difficult. We love you very much, Dad. We will miss you yet hold your memory in our hearts. Rest in peace.