February 10, 1937 – February 20, 2020
Chuck “Frenchie” was born February 10, 1937 to Georgiana Richard and Henry Brunette in Fargo, North Dakota. He was number 15 of 16 children. He attended St Anthony’s, St Mary’s and Ben Franklin schools in Fargo. In 1955, he graduated from Matrona County High School in Casper, Wyoming.
In 1954, Chuck joined the Wyoming Nation Guard and then in 1955, he joined the US Air Force as a cannoneer. In 1955, he completed Hospital Corps School. Chuck served in Washington DC, The Philippines, Portland, Cottonwood, Idaho, Japan, Da Nang Vietnam and Spokane, Washington. He was a member of the 439th and 325th support groups. Sargent Brunette served as an emergency room technician, practical nurse, medical service technician and EMT. He received several awards including Good Conduct Medals with bronze loops for exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He marched in the inaugural parade for Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Chuck started working in 1949, when he was just 12 years old. His employers included Western Union and the bowling alley in Casper. In 1957, he met his wife, Patricia Henderson while they were both serving in Washington DC. They wed on February 15, 1958. On February 18, 1958 they deployed to The Philippines. They soon started a family that grew to 5 children.
In 1975, Chuck retired from the Air Force and the family moved to Portland. Chuck started his own upholstery business, which he did for many years. He went on to be a long-haul truck driver. After retirement, he worked for Thrifty Auto Parts and Bob Brown Tires as a delivery driver. Chuck also created his own business of repairing and selling lawn movers.
He enjoyed fishing from a young age in both North Dakota and Wyoming, where his family lived near the Red River and the North Platte River. Chuck adored his parents and his many siblings. He would recall the many fish fry’s that his mother prepared. He enjoyed fishing at Clear Lake near Spokane with his sons. He was a member of the Slant 6 Club. Upon retirement, Chuck became a fixture at Kings Omelet Restaurant in Gateway, where he enjoyed breakfast each day. He also enjoyed his weekly dinner date with Mr. G, who lived across the street. Chuck was an avid Oakland Raiders fan. He enjoyed watching football with his family and playing “ditties”. He enjoyed coin collecting, playing poker, watching M*A*S*H, NCIS and war movies. He enjoyed crossword and sudoku puzzles. He enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and played “taxi driver” during his children’s school years. He enjoyed many family trips to the Oregon Coast and the Gold Coast Motel in Rockaway.
The Brunette’s were long-time members of St Therese’s Parish in NE Portland. Chuck was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is preceded in death by is wife, Patricia; daughter, Jana and great-grandson Grant. He is survived by his sons, Richard, Michael and Donald; daughters Jacqueline Domine and Victoria Tennyson; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org
We are forever grateful Dad. You will be missed. As Paul Harvey would say “Now you know the rest of the story”.
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