Contra Costa Times (Contra Costa, CA)

"Resident of Brentwood, Charles Atwood Rowley Sr, of Brentwood, CA passed away Wednesday, December 31, New Years Eve, 2008 at age 85. Born May 17, 1923, "Chuck" was born on his father's ranch in Lake County and raised both there and in Ukiah. He worked as a logger in Northern California, later working the shipyards of the Port of Oakland. Like many from "The Greatest Generation", he was drafted during WWII into the United States Air Force in 1941, serving as a radio operator on military aircraft flying in Southern Europe and North African theaters. After the war, he worked for Pacific Telephone Company in Reno, Nevada before returning to the Bay Area after his courtship and marriage to Dorothy Rae French of Seattle, WA, in 1952. They spent several years in Pacifica, CA, prior to settling in Concord in 1961 where they raised three children; Janine, Charles Jr. ('Chip"), and Allison. Chuck retired from Pac Bell in 1982 relocating to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Calaveras County. There Chuck spent the happiest years of his life. In the pastoral setting of forested canyons and the Upper Mokelumne River, they enjoyed equestrian activities, hosting family gatherings and continuing active engagement with church and community. A country gentleman and outdoorsman, Chuck was happiest managing the landscape, working with his hands and remained a resourceful "do-it-yourselfer" to the end of his life. Late in life he became a long distance runner, performing his first marathon at the age of 50. He passed quietly and quickly at home as he had wished. Both he and Dorothy had recently relocated once the Sierra life was no longer practical. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy Rowley of the East Bay community of Brentwood, CA; his brother Walter Rowley of Portland, OR; sister Velma Dockins of Ukiah, CA; daughter and son-in-law Dr. Janine and Douglas Cooley of Redmond, WA; son Charles Atwood Rowley, Jr., M.L.A. and his partner Steven Craig, of Bryson and San Francisco, CA; daughter and son-in-law Allison and Tim Dillon of Livermore, CA; and grandchildren Ian Rowley Cooley, Erin Rowley Cooley and Drew William Dillon."