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Charles O. ‘Charlie’ Wells, 90

Charles O. “Charlie” Wells passed away on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, at the Hospice of North Idaho Schneidmiller House. He was 90 years old.

Charlie was born in Camp Wood, Texas, on Aug. 20, 1929, to Charley and Susan Wells. His family moved to Springfield, Ore., when he was a youth and they lived there until he volunteered for the U.S. Army at age 17. Charlie was on active duty during the Korean War and was stationed in France and Switzerland. He received his private pilot’s license when he was 16, and even though he was already a private pilot, he served as a mechanic and drove supply trucks while on active duty. One of his favorite stories from the military was almost running over Gen. Eisenhower in a Jeep while driving a deuce and a half. He served our country for a total of six years.

Upon leaving active duty, Charlie returned to Springfield, Ore., where he continued his education and earned his airframe and powerplant mechanic license. He put both his mechanical and flying skills to use while he worked at McKenzie Aircraft Repair in Springfield. He moved to Gig Harbor, Wash., in 1965, where he worked as both an aviation mechanic and pilot for Weyerhaeuser Company. He often said he would “Work on them all night and fly them all day.”

He and LeNoire Hanson married on March 1, 1965. He enjoyed spending time with his family and being able to share his hobby with them by working and playing in the aviation industry. Charlie retired in 1996 after a 35+ year career with Weyerhaeuser and eventually moved to Hayden, Idaho, in 2015.

Charlie had a passion for mechanics and aviation. He held aviation flight time records on the job and spent his free time piloting his personal crafts, including flying stunt planes in air shows. He used his experience to help develop better performing aircraft and often was called in to troubleshoot stubborn problems. He was an active member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and was proud to serve as an Airworthiness Inspector for over 60 years. Charlie loved taking his family for trips in the air and they often spent one of his days off flying to different towns to have lunch or a slice of pie at the airport restaurant.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 54 years, LeNoire; son, Dave (Penny); daughter, Karon (Patrick) Stack both of Springfield; daughter, Sandy (Mike) Giannandrea of Rathdrum, Idaho; daughter, Patti of Woodinville, Wash.; son, Rich (Kim) of Hayden; and sister, Barbara of Tucson, Ariz.; as well as 12 grandchildren; seven “grandkid-in-laws;” six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Charlie loved spending time with his family, as they did with him. His presence at the “Wells Family Gatherings” will be deeply missed.

The family would like to thank the staff from Hospice of North Idaho and at the Schneidmiller Hospice House for the fantastic care they provided to Charlie and his family. “You made all the difference for us.” In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.