Charles Archer 99, passed away on July 3, 2023, at the Forks Hospital, with his family at his side.

Charles was born to Charles Sr. and Nola Archer on January 15, 1924, in Claremore, Oklahoma. Charles grew up mostly in Arkansas but also lived in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Washington.

The family lived in Port Angeles, Neah Bay, Clallam Bay, and Mora.

It was a lot of moving. So when Charles was a senior in high school in Forks, he wanted to graduate there. It was the only school he attended for an entire school year. In order to stay in Forks, he worked for Dr. Ford for room and board. He graduated in 1941.

He was inducted into the Army Air Corps in 1942. He was an engineer/gunner on B-26 and B-25 bombers in France and Germany. He left the military in 1945.

On Sept. 4, 1950, he married the love of his life, Vera Roark, in Forks. They started a family, and Charles built their home on G Street in Forks.

He worked as a timber faller for a time. He then worked at Smith Shingle Mill. He sometimes had to repair piping at the mill. This was the start of his plumbing business. He was self-taught and was the only plumber in Forks for many years.

Vera helped in the business by selling plumbing supplies from the residence as well as billing customers.

He taught plumbing to high school students enrolled in the home building class at Forks High School and also taught Hunter/Firearm safety to countless youths in Forks to qualify them for a hunting license. He was a lifetime member of the NRA.

He also supervised a Rifle Club for kids to safely target practice at the Sportsmen’s Club range.

Charles was a VFW member in Forks. Every Friday night for many years he was a bingo caller at the VFW hall. He was a member of the West End Sportsmen’s Club and was a bingo caller there too.

Charles was also active in Al-Anon and helped many people.

After retiring, he enjoyed cutting firewood. He often gave firewood to people who truly needed the wood. Charles and Vera always had an amazing vegetable garden. They were happy to share from the garden.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents Charles Sr. and Nola Archer; Sisters Betty and Juanita, and his wife Vera Archer.

He is survived by his three children; Greg Archer of Forks, Ron Archer of Long Beach, and Kathy Archer of Quilcene. Charles has 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.