Obituary of Charles L DeTemple

Charles Leidl DeTemple was born March 2, 1925 in the same Fern Prairie home where he passed away from cancer on July 11, 2017 at the age of 92.  He grew up on the farm with his parents, Frank and Emma, and brother Frankie and sisters Marie and Lucille.  Charles graduated from Camas High School before serving with the 70th Infantry Division in France and Germany during WWII. In September 2015, Charles was presented with the French Medal of Honor for his part in liberating France. Over the years, he and his brother farmed and raised cattle on the family farm.                                                                                                                                                     

Charlie was well known and loved at the Portland VA hospital where he made dear friends.  He faced his struggles with a  zest for life, a sense of humor, and a quick wit.  Despite health issues, Charlie joined other veterans this May on a Puget Sound Honor Flight to visit war memorials in Washington, DC.  It was a trip of a life time and he returned happy and rejuvenated.

Charles is preceded in death by his sister Marie Norton, nephew Randy Brown, and brother Frank DeTemple.

 He is survived by his sister Lucille Brown, nieces Betty Ahrendt, Judy Garland, Char Cloud, and Karen Moore and their families, and nephew Duane Norton, and his dog Bear.

Heartfelt thanks to his many friends and neighbors who enabled him to live out his last years on his farm and who greatly enriched his life.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday July 18th at 2:00 pm at Straub’s Funeral Home, 325 NE 3rd Ave, Camas. Burial to follow at the Fern Prairie Cemetery.  Afterwards friends and family will gather at 1818 NE 232nd Avenue across from the DeTemple Farm.  To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook please visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.