Charles A. Dodge, 79, of Gearhart, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, in Astoria.

He was born July 28, 1939, in Roseburg, to Charles A. Dodge Sr. and Kathleen (Smith) Dodge. Raised in Sweet Home, he was a lifelong Oregon resident.

In 1954, he married Rose Marie Easterly in McMinnville. She preceded him in death in 2003.

Mr. Dodge worked in the logging industry, as a barker operator for Jack Barker and Publishers Paper, where he worked for 24 years. He also worked the Yellowjacket gold mine in Nevada, and was the oldest survivor of its operation, mining placer gold, as well as working his own mine nearby.

He served more than 50 years as a volunteer fireman. He was one of the four original members of the Bay City Volunteer Fire Department and was the last surviving original member. He was a former Elks and Moose lodge member.

Family members said he enjoyed camping and picnics by the Kilchis River, and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He also loved to watch Portland Main Event Wrestling on Friday nights and the nightly news.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Jody Baker; and a half-brother, Sid Dodge.

Mr. Dodge is survived by four children, Patricia Creley and her husband, Neil, of Arrey, N.M., Donald Dodge of Bay City and Rene Seelye and her husband, David, and Kelly Dodge, all of Gearhart; a sister, Jean Buttke and her husband, Duane, of Kent, Wash.; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

At Mr. Dodge’s request, no service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bay City Volunteer Fire Department, in care of Waud’s Funeral Home, 1414 Third St., Tillamook, OR 97141.