Charles Andrew Thompson, age 93, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2026 in Klamath Falls, Oregon, at a family member’s home. He was surrounded and cared for by his loving family during his passing.
Born on May 3, 1933 in Perryton, Texas, Charles was the second of seven children born to Charley and Verlie (Tipton) Thompson. A proud 1953 graduate of Perryton High School, he spent his youth working in his father’s blacksmith shop. There, he mastered welding, horseshoeing and heavy machinery, and honed an early knack for building fast cars designed to outrun the law.
In 1960, Charles moved to Ashland, Oregon, living with his grandmother, Naomi Baldwin Tipton and uncle, Winton Tipton, before beginning a lifelong career with the U.S. Forest Service at the Rogue River National Forest.
When the Winema National Forest was established in 1961, Charles transferred to Klamath Falls. In 1963, operating as a skilled catskinner alongside a three-person crew, he carved out the Isherwood Trail in the Sky Lakes and built the Mountain Lakes Spur connecting to Aspen Point Campground.
Receiving his permanent appointment to the Winema in 1965, Charles became the forest’s legendary pack master. Possessing a rare, oldschool expertise and an intuitive gift with horses and mules, he navigated deep back-country terrain alongside his trusty mounts-Big Mountain, Worthless, and Smokey-to supply remote lookouts and fire crews.
He blazed sections of the Pacific Crest Trail and cleared the Sky Lakes, leaving behind a lasting physical imprint on the wilderness he loved. As a dedicated wildland firefighter, his service also took him across Oregon, California, Washington, Arizona, and Colorado.
In 1962, Charles met Frances Paradis. Falling deeply in love, he embraced fatherhood, raising four children together over a devoted 39 years until Frances’s passing in 2001. He remained fiercely devoted to her memory for the rest of his days.
An avid sportsman, Charles lived for deer and elk season. Every winter, he and Frances joined close friends Dennis and Sam Edwards, along with their sons Bob and John and later, his own grandchildren to set up elk camp in the Starkey region. He also treasured time spent fishing local rivers, lakes, and the ocean.
A true craftsman, Charles was a natural at leatherwork, hand-stitching rifle scabbards and knife sheaths, and famously gifting his intricate hand made leatherbraided keychains to those he met.
He could fix anything, tell a captivating story, and always maintained a calm presence in any storm. Above all, he was a man defines by his quiet strength, his reverence for the wilderness, and his unwavering dedication to his family.
He is survived by his children, Rhonda (Randy) Albert, Bob (Cindy) Paradis and Martha (Jeff) Wheaton; his grandchildren, Jack (Jill) Angle, Ann (Manny) Malfavon, Andrew (Kelly) Shepherd, Charlie (Adrian) Paradis, James (Viva) Wheaton, Bobby (Kristy) Wheaton, John (Allyson) Wheaton, and Sara (Stephanie) Conklin; greatgrandchildren, Jaxon (Mai) Angle, Riki Angle, Viva and Livi Malfavon, Charlie and Easton Shepherd, Robert Paradis Capri, Carson, Justin, Adam, Neveah, Aubrey, Paige, and Emily Wheaton; and two greatgreat- grandchildren; sisters- in-law Ester Fredrickson and Kay Thompson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his cherished daily breakfast crew, including his best friend and breakfast buddy Lucky Luchterhand, Pam and the team at Klamath Grill, and Katie and the regulars at the Waffle Hut.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Frances; his son, John Paradis; and his siblings, Laura Urban, Shirley Havlik, Margaret Mercer, Ralph Thompson, Ruby Burger, and Glen Fredrickson.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Klamath Yacht Club. Arrangements are under the direction of Cascade Cremation & Burial in Klamath Falls, Oregon.