Charles “Charlie” Millsap died peacefully in the Whatcom Hospice House on Nov. 9, 2018 in Bellingham, at the age of 68. After courageously fighting and beating cancer 14 years ago, the disease recently returned and overtook him.
Charlie is survived by his wife of 42 years, Chris; children Branden (Lori) Millsap of Blaine, Chuck (Kara) Millsap of Renton, and Jeremy Millsap of San Francisco; siblings Rochelle (Jerry) Kelley of Tucson, Arizona, and Linda (Ed) Anderson of Bellingham; and grandchildren Austin, Owen, Alexis and Samantha.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Elmer and Evelyn Millsap.
Charlie was born on June 18, 1950 in Bellingham to Elmer and Evelyn Millsap. A lifetime Lynden resident, he graduated from Lynden High School in 1968 and went on to study auto body repair at Bellingham Technical College. Later, he began work at Uniflite and various other boatbuilding businesses. Charlie married the love of his life, Chris, on July 2, 1976. The young couple became the third generation to live at the family homestead off the Birch Bay-Lynden Road where they raised their three sons. In 1999 he went into business for himself establishing Charlie’s Fiberglass Repair. Much of his work was with the charter fleets stationed in Bellingham Squalicum Harbor. He is remembered for having an uncanny ability to match paint colors for a seamless repair finish.
An avid hunter and fisherman, Charlie always dotingly kept a hunting dog or two at the family home. He was an accomplished gardener and often brought a bounty of vegetables to share with his “family” at the harbor. He loved working down there, but more importantly he loved talking with anyone and everyone he met. You could ask Charlie the time and he’d end up telling you how the watch was made.
A celebration of life for family and friends will be scheduled at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Whatcom Hospice House at 2806 Douglas Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225.
The family thanks the ICU staff at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center and the Whatcom Hospice House staff for their extreme care and dedication to both Charlie and his family during this difficult time. The family also thanks the numerous friends and family who visited him these last few weeks in the ICU and Hospice House. You all provided a much-appreciated steady flow of love, laughter and support that we could never adequately thank you for.
Arrangements are by Sig’s Funeral and Cremation Services.
