Charles R. Tunley

Jan. 10, 1936 — July 1, 2016

Charles R. Tunley was born in Skagway, Alaska, on Jan. 10, 1936. He left us on July 1, 2016, having lived a long, full life on his terms.

He spent his youth in Skagway camping, climbing and hiking in the mountains, and graduated from Skagway High School in 1954.

He ventured into the big, outside world for college where he attended and graduated from Seattle University in 1958.

After working in Alaska for a few years, he returned to the outside world and graduated from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 1964.

As a new lawyer, he returned to Anchorage, Alaska eager to start his career in law. He made that career by representing regular folks who needed help.

In 1980, he was appointed to the Alaska Superior Court in Nome where he served for the next 15 years. It was here he made a home for his family. As the presiding judge in one of Alaska’s most remote regions, Charles always tried to do what was right even if it wasn’t always popular.

Charles and Carol moved from Nome to Anchorage in 1996. They then left Alaska’s cold winters behind and became seasonal residents of Green Valley, Ariz., where they wintered for 20 years.

In 2001, they decided to summer in a warmer locale than Alaska could offer and moved to Whidbey Island; Charlie felt he had found paradise on earth. We know he is now sitting by the water in the heavenly equivalent of Whidbey.

Charles is preceded in death by his father Arthur, mother Celestia and brother Tom. He leaves behind Carol, his wife of 44 years; his children, son Michael and wife Sarah, son David and wife Vinh and his beloved daughter, Laura; as well as grandsons Matthew and Luke.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local food bank.