Charles Clayton Nicholson

Charles Clayton Nicholson was born in Des Moines, Iowa to parents Marlan W. and Edith L. (Hanson) Nicholson on December 31st, 1941. Charles was brother to Cora Lee. He was raised in Iowa on a family farm. Charles graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines. He went on to earn a civil engineering degree at the University of Arizona where he was a proud member of Beta Theta Pi and developed many lifelong friends in that fraternity. After earning his degree in Arizona, Charles proceeded to graduate school at the University of South Dakota where he earned a Master’s Degree of Business Administration.

Following graduate school, Charles attended Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI and then entered into active duty as an officer in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. Charles served in the “Seabees” (naval construction battalion) in Saigon where he employed his civil engineering knowledge. Charles was in Saigon during the historic Tet Offensive. After his time of service in Vietnam, Charles was stationed in Keyport, Washington. It was in Keyport that Charles met Linda Edgerton in 1969. The two were married in Bremerton in the Naval Chapel in 1970. He left the Navy as a Lieutenant.

Charles and Linda raised two children: sons Theodore and Andrew.

Upon completion of his naval service, the young family relocated to Oregon where Charles began a lifelong career for Omark Industries (later became Oregon Cutting Systems, a division of Blount Incorporated). Charles ultimately earned the dual title of Vice President of Engineering and Quality. He retired in 1996.

In his leisure time, Charles enjoyed R.V.ing, fishing, hunting, skiing, and boating. He also enjoyed being a Commodore of Waverly Yacht Club and boating in the San Juan Islands with family and friends. Another proud objective he achieved was earning his Private Pilot’s License.

Of all of his hobbies and interests, his most precious times were the moments just being near his family and friends.

Charles is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Linda; sons ,Ted (wife Lori) and Andy (wife LeAnna); four grandchildren: Jenna and Kaitlyn Nicholson, Christian Long, and Brian Condon; and a sister, Cora Lee Webb.

A celebration of Charles' life will be held at Skyline Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home Chapel, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, Oregon, on Friday, March 6, 2015, at noon.

Charles will be privately laid to rest in Skyline Memorial Gardens – Meditation Garden.

Please visit the guestbook portion of this site and enter a special memory or message.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Alzheimer's Association Oregon Chapter - http://www.alz.org/oregon/

Arrangements are entrusted to Skyline Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home funeral directors.