Charlie passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter Karen in Chewelah, WA on May 25, 2021. Charlie was born in Belfair, WA on February 24, 1933, to Charles E. Ryan Sr. and Sylvia DeMeiro Ryan. Charlie grew up in the logging industry with his father and was introduced to the construction trade by his uncle Robert Ryan. After graduating high school, he joined his uncle as an apprentice.
Charlie attended South Kitsap High school serving as Class Vice President in his senior year 1951. During his high school years, he picked brush with his life-time friend Leroy Brose. He saved most of his money and was able to purchase his first vehicle, a 1951 Chevy. It was while in his senior year that he met his future wife Bettylee Price. They were married in 1952.
Charlie’s love became the construction industry working for his uncle Bob until he closed his business. Charlie then opened his own construction company, Ryan Built Homes, Inc. in 1958. His company grew to be a very prominent building and land developing company into the 1980’s. He developed the housing communities of Parkwood in Port Orchard and Parkwood East in East Bremerton. His company worked as far as Eatonville, Tacoma, Seattle, the Hood Canal area to Kingston. He built South Park Village Shopping Center and many other commercial buildings in the county along with numerous apartment and condominium complexes.
Charlie took pride in his construction of homes and never wanted to do anything else. He also was generous in many ways in the community. We also know that he built several homes at cost for some young struggling families and at least one condominium unit for a retired couple. He inspired many, was kind and was always willing to help.
Charlie was an avid fisherman and hunter. This sport took him all over the western states, British Columbia and Alaska. Though he did his share of fishing out of Westport he loved steelhead fishing in the Chehalis and other rivers in southern Washington. His trophies ranged from pheasants to big horned sheep, deer, antelope, moose, and bears, including a grizzly. He even went polar bear hunting but was unsuccessful.
Charlie is survived by his loving children, Karen Powell of Chewelah, WA, Judy (John) Haynes, Port Orchard, WA, Cheryle (Rick) McConnaughey of Tuscan, Arizona, Kim (Larry) Latchford of Tonasket, WA and Charles E. Ryan III of Purdy, WA., along with 14 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren.
Private family internment will be at Miller Woodlawn, Bremerton, Washington on August 20, 2021. Hospice of Spokane assisted in the last month of Charlie’s life and if you would like you may donate in his name to them. Their address is: Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210-2215.
We invite you to join us for a Celebration for Charlie’s life on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at Belfair State Park. We have chosen to celebrate in the area of our father’s childhood with an informal picnic. We will gather from 1pm to 5pm. You are welcome to come at any time, but we will have a presentation of his life at 2pm. We will be in the covered shelter in the day use area. If you do not have a Discovery Pass for the state parks it will be $10 for a day pass. Disabled veterans with a Washington State Park Lifetime Pass and anyone with a Handicapped Placard are admitted free. You may contact Karen or Judy if you need any further information. We look forward to sharing this time with you.
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