Charles Frederick Shotts

Published 1:27 pm Friday, December 13, 2013

1924 – 2013 Charles Frederick Shotts was born in Quitman, Mississippi in 1924. When he was 14, he moved with his family to Gilchrist, Oregon where his father was Sawmill Superintendent for Gilchrist Timber Company. Charles graduated from Gilchrist High School and went to Oregon State College where he majored in mechanical engineering. After two years, he enlisted in the Army for the buildup to WWII, and was sent to Princeton University where he studied until he was assigned to deploy with the 104th Infantry Division, the Timber Wolves, and was sent to the European Front. He distinguished himself in combat, receiving a battlefield commission, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star.

After Charles returned from Germany, he married his sweetheart, Mary-Elma Allen, who he met at a USO dance at Princeton. They married in Gilchrist on July 22, 1945. After completing active duty service, he received a Civil Engineering Degree from Oregon State College. He then began a long and accomplished career with Gilchrist Timber Company. He held various positions prior to becoming company president in 1988 and retired in 1994 after completing the sale of the company.

Charles and Mary-Elma have five children: Marjorie, Charlie, Carla, Andy and Chris. They have 11 grandchildren: Billy, Chuck, Carlin, Holly, Heather, Heidi, Riley, Chelsea, Emma, Edgar and Elwin. They also have 11 great-grandchildren: Celeste, Gracie, Chet, Xiaxia, Marlin, Wentzle, Zephyr, Emory, James, Marcella and Margaret. Charles was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Ethel, sister Elizabeth and is survived by his brother Stanley.

Charles enjoyed numerous outdoor pursuits, as well as serving the community throughout his life. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fly fishing, skiing and golf. He served on the board of directors of the Western Wood Products Association, served as chairman of the Oregon Forest Industries Council and was past president of the Oregon Logging Conference and the Pacific Logging Conference. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and belonged to the National Society of Professional Engineers. He was a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity, the American Legion, the Eugene Country Club and the First United Methodist Church.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and we all loved him very much.

Donations in memory of Charles can be made to the First United Methodist Church in Eugene.

Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com.