Larry Michael Chartier

Larry Michael Chartier, 85, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at his family home in Tonasket, Washington after a courageous battle with leukemia. Larry will be forever remembered for his sense of humor and sharp wit, strong values and morals, outspokenness, and steadfast faith. Larry was born on July 17, 1938, in Roseburg, Oregon of Clarence L. Chartier and Eileen E. Chartier (nee Wickstrom), joining brothers Clarence F. and Richard M. Chartier. While in grade school, he and his parents moved to North Bend, Washington, where his love of the outdoors, the Pacific Northwest, fishing, and animals grew. He learned to ride horses with Bonnie, his Morgan/Tennessee Walking Horse, fished salmon larger than himself out of the ocean, hiked in the Cascades, and skied. Larry graduated from Mount Si High School in 1956, and in 1961, he graduated from Seattle University with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Economics. During summers, Larry worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Washington and Oregon and logged in Alaska with his older brother, Richard. While at Seattle University, he sang with the men’s choir and met the love of his life and future wife, Regina A. Otis, whom he married at the St. James Cathedral in Seattle on May 9, 1964. This coming May, Larry and Regina would have been married 60 years. Larry had two full and notable careers. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in England for two years. He then attended Officer Candidate School and became a commissioned airborne military intelligence officer in the Army Reserves. Shortly after, he was recalled to active duty, stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and deployed to Santa Domingo in the Dominican Republic with the 82nd Airborne Division, where he earned the Meritorious Service Medal. Next, he deployed to the Vietnam conflict with the 101st Airborne Division, where he earned the Soldier’s Medal for heroism after saving a young boy from drowning in the South China Sea and the Bronze Star for meritorious action in the Tet Offensive. Following his tour in Vietnam, Larry entered active duty for the U.S. Army for the rest of his military career. He was stationed in West Germany, where he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in person by the Secretary of the Army for counter-intelligence operations in response to Soviet clandestine activities. Larry, Regina, and family also were stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Fort Campbell, Tennessee; and Fort Monroe, Virginia. Larry retired honorably as a Major in 1983. After retiring from the Army, Larry and his family returned to the Pacific Northwest, settling in North Bend. While there, Larry worked as a systems analyst for Boeing in the Seattle area through 1998, where he was instrumental in the development of the F-22 Raptor advanced tactical fighter aircraft. When not working, he was active in his church and enjoyed being with his family, backpacking and fishing with family and friends, working in his garden, and caring for his animals. After retiring from Boeing, Larry, Regina, and Constance moved to Tonasket, Washington and joined Our Lady of the Valley parish in Okanogan. Larry was a great man of faith and was active in the parish, where he handled the parish’s recordkeeping and accounting, joined and served as Treasurer for the Secular Carmelites, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. In retirement, Larry also enjoyed his family and home, the outdoors, horses and dogs, his garden and property, and beekeeping. Larry generously gave to and opened his home to those in need, and he made new friends everywhere he went. And he was a true steward of God’s creation. Larry is survived by his wife, Regina Chartier of Tonasket and six children: Lawrence (Melissa) Chartier of Tonasket; Ann Nilles of Tonasket; James (Brenda) Chartier of Weirton, West Virginia; Christopher (Deborah) Chartier of Dandridge, Tennessee; Constance Chartier of Tonasket; and Monique (Jacob) McElwee of Topeka, Kansas. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren: Matthew Chartier, Christopher Nilles, Mary Nilles, Halie Trepus, Theresa Nilles, Clarice Chartier, Sera Chartier, Stephanie Chartier, Emma Wilson, Emma Trepus, Angelina Chartier-Forslin, Eric Chartier, Maria McElwee, Gabriel Chartier, Isaac McElwee, Elyse Chartier, Aimee Nilles, and Eian Chartier. Larry is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Larry was predeceased by his parents and his brothers Clarence and Richard Chartier. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, April 25, at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 2511 Elmway, Okanogan, Washington, 98840, followed by a reception. The day before, Wednesday, April 24, a visitation and rosary will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at River Valley Funeral Home, 2547 Elmway, Okanogan, Washington, 98840. Larry will eventually be laid to rest at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington on a date to be determined. The family expresses its gratitude to Dr. Garrison and the oncology nursing staff at Confluence Health in Omak and the nursing staff at Mid-Valley Hospital for their kind and careful care of Larry during his fight with leukemia.

Larry Michael Chartier

July 17, 1938 - April 20, 2024