Charlie died September 23, 2014, at his home in Bear Valley Springs, California. He grew up in Lebec, CA, and attended Bakersfield High School. Charlie started working with the USFS on the Mt. Pinos District, Los Padres NF, before joining the Marines in 1967 and serving one tour in Vietnam.

He returned to the Los Padres after the service and was an engine foreman at Gold Hill and assistant foreman on Chuchupate Helitack. Charlie jumped at Redding during the 1977 season.