Charles Perkins Towne's Obituary
Charles Perkins TowneSgt. Major (Ret.)Charles Towne, born February 13, 1921 in North Adams, MA, and passed away January 30, 2006 in Tacoma, WA.Charles was raised in Salem, OR and joined the Army in 1938. He was a P.O.W. for 3 1/2 years after being captured at Corregidor Island, Philippines, and also a survivor of the infamous Japanese Hell Ships. After the war, Charles settled in Tacoma and raised his family.He was preceded in death by his wife Irene, daughter Jacqueline, and wife Lauretta. Charles is survived by, daughter Janice Rogich, and son Kenneth (Barbara) Towne, 4 grandchildren Dan, Jon, Jody (Rob) and Charlene, 6 great-grandchildren, sister Jenny Letz, many nieces, nephews and friends, and very special friend Alvina Pero.Charles volunteered in the mid 60Â's as a Little League coach, and was also a Red Cross volunteer for many years at Madigan General Hospital. He was a great Salmon fisherman, and loved gardening, woodcrafts, going to church, going to meetings with his brotherhood, and helping others. Charles was a past Master of Masonic Clover Lodge of Tacoma, Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons of Washington, Former Washington Commander of the American Ex-prisoners of War, and National Commander of the American Ex-prisoners of War from 1968 to 1969. During the mid 80Â's he was also appointed by Governor Gardner as head of the VeteranÂ's Advisory Panel. He was the creator of the Former Prisoner of War vehicle license plates for the state of Washington.Viewing will be held from 1 to 9 PM on Saturday, February 4, 2006 at Mountain View Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, February 6, 2006 in the Mountain View Valley Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to the United Methodist Church of Puyallup, at 11304 136th St. E., Puyallup, WA 98374.
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