C.E. "Charlie" Crookshanks

Charlie Crookshanks left this world on Thursday, 30 January to be with the love of his life, Marje, who went ahead of him two months ago. He was surrounded by his family.

Charles Edward Crookshanks was born in Washington D.C. on 1 August 1929 to Velma Frogge Crookshanks and Edward Crookshanks. His parents were divorced two years later and his mother provided a home, guidance and love in the ensuing years and made many sacrifices during his childhood. In 1944 Velma married Philip Cottom in Denver, CO and they moved to Dillon, Philip's home.

Charlie and his mom arrived by train in Dillon on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Philip was a businessman/farmer, raising certified potatoes and other crops. Charlie made an instant switch from city kid to farm kid and within a week was a member of the planting crew. The other three members were to be his classmates at Beaverhead County High.

Throughout his life, Charlie credited Philip with providing a positive and consistent role model. He considered Philip to be his father and Philip always referred to Charlie as his oldest son. Charlie valued his relationship with Philip's two younger sons, Bill and Bob, and always referred to them as his brothers. Charlie also has as a brother, Bruce, in Washington and a sister, Susan in California.

After graduation from high school in 1947, Charlie attended Western Montana College and graduated from the University of Montana in 1952 with a B.A. in Economics. He enlisted in the Montana Army National Guard, serving until 1952. He was accepted to the Navy Officer Candidate School program in Newport, RI, in March 1953, graduating in July 1953 as a newly-minted ensign. After attending several schools including Aviation Ground Officer School, he was assigned to USS Kearsarge CVA-33 (an aircraft carrier) as Aircraft Fueling Officer, reporting December 1953 and serving on board until June 1956, attaining the rank of lieutenant.

When released from active duty on 16 June 1956 he returned home to Dillon. In September he was visiting the Student Union at Western Montana College with an old friend when he first saw Marjorie Jenkin. Shortly after meeting Marje, Charlie said to his friend, "That's the girl I'm going to marry." Upon meeting Charlie, Marje said "Can you imagine going through life with a last name like Crookshanks?" They married on 1 August 1957 in Great Falls. Charlie always said that Marje was the best thing that ever happened to him. They were married for 56 years. Charlie and Marje were never without a dog or two…or three. Their marriage was blessed by the addition of three daughters, Coy, Lisa and Amy. Charlie was funny, generous, humble, and a devoted dad.

In July 1956 he went to work at the Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls as office manager and was treasurer of the hospital credit union. He later became assistant administrator and purchasing agent. In 1961 the family moved to Havre where he became administrator of the Kennedy Deaconess Hospital. After three years they returned to Great Falls and he assumed the position of administrator of the Montana Red Cross Blood Program and later was named claims manager and assistant Medicare coordinator for Blue Cross of Montana.

In 1966 Charlie and Marje opened Crookshanks Gifts, in Butte, which they operated until June 1970. Later that year they moved to Missoula where Charlie entered the real estate business. In 1977 he started his real estate appraisal practice which he continued until 2001. During that time he received numerous awards, including Appraiser of the Year from the Realtors' Association.

Charlie was active in the Western Montana Military Officers Association (WMMOA) where he served as President, Treasurer and Secretary. Both he and Marje served on the WMMOA Boys and Girls State selection committee in 2002 and 2003. Charlie organized and spearheaded the WMMOA project to send care packages to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. During the project's five years, they sent more than 1, 000 packages in support of our young men and women overseas. He was a life member of the Military Officers Association of America, American Legion Post # 27 Missoula, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 209 Missoula.

Charlie served as Chair of the Montana Korean War Memorial Committee and was instrumental in making that vision a reality. He and Marje were guests of the South Korean Ambassador to the United States at the dedication of the Korean War Memorial in Atlanta, GA, in recognition of Charlie's hard work and dedication to the Montana project.

He was also the Chair of the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery Committee. Along with many others, Charlie worked tirelessly on this project for seven years. The cemetery was dedicated on 11 September 2008.

Charlie served as President of the World Affairs Council of Montana and was active on the board for seven years. He was on the Five Valleys Crime Stoppers board for six years. He was a Blue and Gold Officer for the U.S. Naval Academy for 11 years, advising and assisting young people with an interest in attending the academy; the last five years he served as area coordinator for the state.

In 2004, Charlie was appointed by the Governor to the Montana Board of Veterans Affairs, and served two terms. He advocated for veterans and their families, and assisted several military widows navigate governmental red tape and obtain the benefits to which they were entitled.

Charlie and Marje traveled to Great Britain and Sweden to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. They later made several trips to Hawaii.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents Velma and Philip Cottom, and his beloved wife Marje. He is survived by daughters Coy Laine, Lisa (Mike) Carter and Amy (Mike) Cooper; grandsons Zachary (Jasmine) Laine, and Beau (Alex) Wurster, granddaughter Rosanna Wurster, his namesake and great-granddaughter Charlie Ann Wurster. His loyal, loving four-legged friend and constant companion, Chica, was by his side until the very end. He is also survived by brothers Bill (Dixie) Cottom, Bob (Barbara) Cottom, Bruce (Kay) Crookshanks and sister Susan (David) Sparks, and numerous nieces and nephews.


Read C.E. 'Charlie' Crookshanks's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.