Charlie is survived by his loving daughters Faye Laurence Simone Tomlin, Emily James Tomlin, and Cindy Lee Thomas; his grandchild Joshua Ryan Thomas; and his great-grandchildren Noah and Mariella Thomas.
A machinist by trade, Charlie was known for a meticulous nature and a steady, exacting approach to his work. He spent decades in Alaska as an engineer on fishing boats, bringing skill, diligence, and care to demanding days at sea. Beyond his work, he found genuine enjoyment in vintique cars and The Beatles—interests that remained close to him and spoke to his appreciation for craft, character, and enduring style.
He will be missed, and many wish he would not have left this realm as soon as he did. Charlie carried an enduring awareness of his Native heritage as a descendant of Bennet Ballew Chief and a representative of the Overhill Cherokee. He knew this lineage and held it with quiet significance throughout his life.
