On Wednesday September 23, 2020 Charles Dempsey passed away at home. Charles (or Chuck as he was known) was born in the St. Johns neighborhood of North Portland to Dennis and Zelda Mae Dempsey on June 15, 1929. He joined his two sisters, Peggy and Jean and later welcomed his brother Don.
Chuck attended high school at Portland Union Academy where he made many lifelong friends. Chuck had a terrific sense of humor and was always getting into mischief. On a dare one day at school, he picked up one of his male teachers and carried him down the hall to the principal’s office. Chuck graduated in from Portland Adventist Academy in 1949. Chuck attended Walla Walla College in College Place, Washington for one year.
In 1950, Chuck was drafted into the Air Force and served until October of 1952. He was Honorably Discharged. Upon leaving the Air Force, Chuck returned to Portland and begun his career as an entrepreneur. One of the businesses he started was Dempsey Auto Supply where he drove his supply truck around to different gas stations and auto repair shops and sold supplies.
On January 25, 1953 Chuck married the love of his Life, Myrna Welsh, a nurse and they settled in Portland. On February 12, 1954 they welcomed their first child, Greg and then came Ken. Chuck and Myrna decided to add to their family and adopted Tim, Cindy and Teresa. After many years when all of the children had grown and moved out, Chuck and Myrna decided to bring a foster child into their home (Crystal). They helped Crystal through Grade School, High School and sent her to College at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska where they attended Crystal’s Graduation in Education and her wedding in the same weekend.
Chuck and Myrna purchased a small Nursing Home (Rest Harbor) in Gresham in 1963. Chuck loved to build, so he added 68 resident rooms to the building and the two worked there for many years. Chuck was the Administrator and Myrna was the Director of Nursing. He also built a home for his family in Boring where they lived for many years.
Chuck and Myrna loved to travel and they made many trips in their motor home to South Dakota and Indianapolis, Indiana to visit family. They enjoyed winters in Palm Springs California later in life.
Chuck loved his Church Family at Hoodview Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Boring. He was active at the Church and at Hoodview Adventist Academy where all of his children attended.
Chuck Loved his Family. He always looked forward to the Family picnic each year and Alumni Weekend at Portland Union (Adventist) Academy his high school Alma Mater.
Chuck was preceded in death by his wife Myrna, and his Sisters and Brother. He is survived by his children, Greg Dempsey, Ken Dempsey, Tim Dempsey, Cindy Robbins, Teresa Dempsey and Crystal Seltmann, as well as his Sister-in-law Marilyn Farr, Brother-in-law Jack Gertzen and many Nephews, Nieces, 7 Grand Children and 4 Great Grand Children.
Chuck was laid to rest next to Myrna at Riverview Abby Mausoleum in Portland on September 30,2020 in a private family gathering.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Chuck in the future so all of his Family and Friends can gather to review his Life and Share the Love and Joy he brought to us.