Charles Franklin Hunkins, 89, Billings resident since 1952, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at Evergreen Laurel Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Charles was born March 25, 1918, in Hollister, Calif. He grew up in California and attended the University of California, where he enjoyed success on the field playing varsity rugby and graduated with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. Shortly after graduating, he married Louise Breedlove from Beverly Hills, Calif. They remained in California for a number of years while he worked as a construction engineer with his father-in-law. During WWII, he served in the Army and spent two years in the Aleutians. Charles retired from the Army as a Colonel.
He moved his family to Billings to take an engineering job with Northern Pacific Railroad, Oil Development Department. He led the Oil Development Department spin-off into a separate company, Milestone Development, where he eventually became Senior Vice President, retiring from that position in 1983. Upon retirement he became a full-time faithful and loving care giver for his wife who succumbed to multiple sclerosis in 1997.
Charles suffered briefly with the ravages of Alzheimer's and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). He will be missed by his son, Raymond and, wife Debby McBride Hunkins; son Ronald and wife, Bonnie Negaard Hunkins; and daughter, Kathryn and husband, Mark Dobbels; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
The author Alex Haley once said, "In every conceivable manner, the family is the link to our past, and the bridge to our future." Charles was a strong, sturdy bridge for his whole family. He will be missed!
Interment in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Charles was born March 25, 1918, in Hollister, Calif. He grew up in California and attended the University of California, where he enjoyed success on the field playing varsity rugby and graduated with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. Shortly after graduating, he married Louise Breedlove from Beverly Hills, Calif. They remained in California for a number of years while he worked as a construction engineer with his father-in-law. During WWII, he served in the Army and spent two years in the Aleutians. Charles retired from the Army as a Colonel.
He moved his family to Billings to take an engineering job with Northern Pacific Railroad, Oil Development Department. He led the Oil Development Department spin-off into a separate company, Milestone Development, where he eventually became Senior Vice President, retiring from that position in 1983. Upon retirement he became a full-time faithful and loving care giver for his wife who succumbed to multiple sclerosis in 1997.
Charles suffered briefly with the ravages of Alzheimer's and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). He will be missed by his son, Raymond and, wife Debby McBride Hunkins; son Ronald and wife, Bonnie Negaard Hunkins; and daughter, Kathryn and husband, Mark Dobbels; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
The author Alex Haley once said, "In every conceivable manner, the family is the link to our past, and the bridge to our future." Charles was a strong, sturdy bridge for his whole family. He will be missed!
Interment in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Charles Franklin Hunkins, 89, Billings resident since 1952, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at Evergreen Laurel Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Charles was born March 25, 1918, in Hollister, Calif. He grew up in California and attended the University of California, where he enjoyed success on the field playing varsity rugby and graduated with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. Shortly after graduating, he married Louise Breedlove from Beverly Hills, Calif. They remained in California for a number of years while he worked as a construction engineer with his father-in-law. During WWII, he served in the Army and spent two years in the Aleutians. Charles retired from the Army as a Colonel.
He moved his family to Billings to take an engineering job with Northern Pacific Railroad, Oil Development Department. He led the Oil Development Department spin-off into a separate company, Milestone Development, where he eventually became Senior Vice President, retiring from that position in 1983. Upon retirement he became a full-time faithful and loving care giver for his wife who succumbed to multiple sclerosis in 1997.
Charles suffered briefly with the ravages of Alzheimer's and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). He will be missed by his son, Raymond and, wife Debby McBride Hunkins; son Ronald and wife, Bonnie Negaard Hunkins; and daughter, Kathryn and husband, Mark Dobbels; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
The author Alex Haley once said, "In every conceivable manner, the family is the link to our past, and the bridge to our future." Charles was a strong, sturdy bridge for his whole family. He will be missed!
Interment in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Charles was born March 25, 1918, in Hollister, Calif. He grew up in California and attended the University of California, where he enjoyed success on the field playing varsity rugby and graduated with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. Shortly after graduating, he married Louise Breedlove from Beverly Hills, Calif. They remained in California for a number of years while he worked as a construction engineer with his father-in-law. During WWII, he served in the Army and spent two years in the Aleutians. Charles retired from the Army as a Colonel.
He moved his family to Billings to take an engineering job with Northern Pacific Railroad, Oil Development Department. He led the Oil Development Department spin-off into a separate company, Milestone Development, where he eventually became Senior Vice President, retiring from that position in 1983. Upon retirement he became a full-time faithful and loving care giver for his wife who succumbed to multiple sclerosis in 1997.
Charles suffered briefly with the ravages of Alzheimer's and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). He will be missed by his son, Raymond and, wife Debby McBride Hunkins; son Ronald and wife, Bonnie Negaard Hunkins; and daughter, Kathryn and husband, Mark Dobbels; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
The author Alex Haley once said, "In every conceivable manner, the family is the link to our past, and the bridge to our future." Charles was a strong, sturdy bridge for his whole family. He will be missed!
Interment in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
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