Charles Edward Leis

Charlie was educated at St. Cecilia in Beaverton, at Columbia Prep, and at Beaverton High School for his senior year, graduating in 1957. While playing pinochle with his regular group of friends, Charlie was introduced to Sandy Thomas. The two quickly became enamored of each other and were married at the Washington County Courthouse in December 1970. In his early work career, he took a job at Surburban Lumber and then took a position as manager at Edwards Lumber and retired from there when his eye sight began to fail him.

He grew up on their family’s farm on the west slopes off Canyon Road. The Leis Family raised many farm animals (which all had names, whether cows or pigs or their more domestic animals). They always had cats, dogs, and cockatoos, and raised white and bronze turkeys (which would chase Charlie and Sandy’s nieces and nephews around the farm) for Thanksgiving dinners.

He loved the outdoors, fishing and hunting; he ran a hunting lodge in Canada during trips there. Charlie and Sandy traveled widely, visiting Tahiti, Samoa, and other places in the South Pacific, and Charlie had traveled to Europe and Canada with his outdoors friends. When they were not traveling, Sandy and Charlie enjoyed working in their garden together; always nurturing the soil as well as their marriage.

In the late 1980s, Charlie began losing his sight, and he was forced to continue his lifelong love of reading by learning Braille and listening to audio books. With that in mind, the family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations in Charlie’s name be made to fund Braille and audio books at the Oregon State Library, 250 Winter Street NE, Salem, OR 97302.

Charles was preceded in death by a brother, Bernard Leis, and two sisters, Margaret Wright and Inez Widman.

He will be missed and remembered by his wife and partner of over 43 years, Sandra Leis, a brother, Leonard Leis, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 8 at 11 AM at Pegg, Paxson and Springer Funeral Chapel, 4675 SW Watson Ave in Beaverton, with a reception to follow. He will be laid to rest at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 333 SW Skyline Blvd in Portland on Friday at 2 PM.

Arrangements under the direction of Pegg, Paxson & Springer Funeral Chapel, Beaverton, OR.

Arrangements under the direction of Pegg, Paxson & Springer Funeral Chapel, Beaverton, OR.