LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Our dearly beloved Charles Lee Gitchell Sr. passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home in Lakeport, California, on Nov. 20, 2024.

He was born on July 6, 1939, in Colorado to his parents John "Jack" William Gitchell and Lillie Grace Hamilton (Gitchell). He was one of 12 siblings.

There must have been a great reunion as he joined with loved ones awaiting him. He was predeceased by his grandparents, parents, one son, Dale Charles Gitchell; brothers, Lynn, John, Frank, and Roger; sisters, Mable and Lillie.

Charles is survived by his loving wife, Donna Wright (Gitchell); brothers, Michael and Curtis; sisters, Ellen, Barbara and Linda; children, Dawn, Robin, Charles Jr. and Sandra; grandchildren, Larry, Royce, Erik, Thomas, Joseph, Vance, Christopher, Mary, Alexandra, Ammon, Natalie and Samantha; seven great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Charles had a deep love for all of his family and has been well known among his many friends to be very caring and giving and always ready to lend a helping hand. He would often use his expertise of loading trucks and tying off loads to help friends and neighbors who were moving. He has directed the safe loading of large pianos onto U-Haul trucks.

He loved visiting family and friends and attending many social events. He especially loved attending local Native American events and being involved in the gathering and preparation of traditional material used by the Pomo Indian tribes in basket making and even learned to make the baskets.

He loved working in his yard, as well as making things with his hands to give away and make people happy.

He worked in many various industries, logging, saw mills, fishing, agriculture dairy, construction labor and much more.

He enjoyed having fun with his family camping, fishing, cutting firewood, going to the ocean, playing cards and board games, his favorite was chess, watching sci-fi movies, working in the yard and most anything that the family could do together.

We wish to invite all to a celebration of life for Charles to be held on Saturday, April 19, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 600 16th St. in Lakeport.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.