Charles Cree

Celebrating Life

Charles H Cree, 83 of Baker City, died tragically in a house fire on the evening of March 13, 2024. Charlie was born to Edna (Jacobs) and Colin Cree on November 21, 1940 in Baker City, Oregon. He spent his early years working in farming and construction throughout Baker Valley. At the age of 16 years he started his first heard of cattle with the help of his step father Joe Emery Sr. from J.Q. Freeman. After graduating from Baker High where he was voted by his classmates to be “Most likely to Succeed” he started working in construction with companies Peter Kee- Witt and Morrison Knudson building I-84 thru Baker, then went on to expand into working on other projects such as the dams in Baker County. Charlie worked at Ellingson Plywood for years; he worked with contractors doing carpenter work, along with cement work. Throughout his life he worked for many ranchers and farmers in Baker Valley. Charlie always stayed busy and worked most every day of his life. Charlie married Becky Hardy in 1966 and they had 2 daughters. They later separated and he met the love of his life Arleta Gagnon which she had a young boy that she brought into the family which Charlie helped raise and considered him his son. They remained a close relationship. Charlie enjoyed mining, the outdoors, sharing his properties with all his family, hunting-with so many stories, fishing, horseback pack trips, and camping with family. When he was a young man he always drove very nice/fancy cars! He loved life, family, and the Lord. Charlie is survived by his daughter Valerie Cree, grandchildren Lilly and Julie Cree and Christina (Cree) Moak all of Texas. His son Josh Parisien (and family) of South Dakota, his sisters Joyce Cree of Texas, Joann Wellman of Baker City, his brother Joe (Sandra) Emery Jr. of Baker City, his uncle DeWayne (Patti) Jacobs of Hermiston, Cousin Gretchen Barton of California, along with numerous other cousins, nieces, and nephews that he loved dearly along with close friends. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Edna (Jacobs) Brill and Colin Cree, an older infant sister Ada Cree, his daughter Cindy Cree, and grandchildren Gina Cree. Memorial contributions can be made to the Haines Fire Protection District PO BOX 338 Haines, OR 97833 through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel at 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Oregon 97814. To leave online condolences for the family of Charles, visit www.grayswest.com. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.  Obituary courtesy of Grays West & Co. Pioneer Chapel.

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