Charles W. "Charlie" Bushong, 75, a resident of the Forest Grove community, died Thursday, June 10, 2021, at OHSU Tuality Community Hospital. Charlie was born February 10, 1946, in Tillamook, Oregon, son of the late Jack and Virginia (Gunn) Bushong. He was raised and received his early education in Tillamook, until his family moved to Ukiah, California, where he attended elementary school. His logging family then moved to Lewiston, Idaho, where he continued his schooling through his sophomore year. He then moved with his family to Forest Grove, where he met his future wife, Barbara J Lockett. He completed his high school education as a graduate of Forest Grove High School Class of 1964. While there, he competed in track & field, basketball and football. He was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam era, serving from 1963 to 1968 as a helicopter mechanic and received his honorable discharge as a Specialist 5th Class. Charlie wed Barbara on March 6, 1964, in Lewiston, Idaho and recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. After marrying, they resided in several communities while he served in the military, including Finthen Airfield, Budenhein and Mainz, Germany, Fort Riley, Kansas and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. During his service, he spent time in Quin Nhon, Vietnam while Barbara lived in Cornelius. Following his discharge, they resided in San Bruno, California, where Charlie worked as an airplane mechanic for United Airlines. In 1971, they moved to Oregon, settling in Forest Grove with a brief stay in Gold Beach, Oregon, where he worked for Coos Curry Electric. While in Forest Grove, Charlie was employed at the local Light and Power company and then as a lineman and substation inspector at Clark Public Utilities in Vancouver, Washington until his retirement in 2009. During his time at the PUD, Charlie attended City University College, receiving a bachelor’s degree in business. Among his special interests, Charlie loved his family and spending time with them. He also enjoyed working on his vintage cars, motorcycles, drag racing, car shows, swap meets, the outdoors, especially camping, fishing and traveling with his family. Among other interests, he had a pilot’s license, SCUBA certification and he played and watched sports. He was a Portland Trailblazer and Oregon Ducks fan and especially enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren compete in sports & perform theatrically. He enjoyed tracing his genealogy back to the Civil War, was very patriotic with a deep love for our country and our constitutional rights and had a reputation for being able to repair almost anything. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Virginia Bushong and his brother, Gary Bushong. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Bushong, his three children and their spouses: Sharon and Jim Pranger of Hillsboro, Oregon, Rob Bushong of Forest Grove, Oregon and Sandi and Brent MacLeod, of Hillsboro, Oregon, his sister and brother-in-law, Jacquie and Ray Shumway of California and his brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Betty Bushong, of Prineville, Oregon. Also surviving are his six grandchildren and their spouses; Chris and Sharayah Pranger, of Milwaukie, Oregon, Sharlene and Brandon Vance, of Tigard, Oregon, Amanda Bushong, of Tigard, Oregon, Megan and Chris “Red” Simmons, of Tigard, Oregon, Emma and Mitchell MacLeod of Hillsboro, Oregon and three great-grandchildren; Charlie and Lillie Pranger, Aiden Simmons and several nieces and nephews and his dog, Lulu. The family suggests that contributions in his memory be made to the American Cancer Society, 330 SW Curry Street, Portland, Oregon 97239, Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Beffort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256, or American Diabetes Association, 4380 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 270, Portland, Oregon 97239, in his memory. To sign the online guest book or to send a condolence to the family, go to www.fuitenrosehoyt.com.