Obituary of Charles Earl DeRome

Charles “Charlie” De Rome went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ, June 24, 2011, at University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, WA. He was born to Frederick Clarence “Buss” De Rome, and Ella Mae (Ellis), September 26, 1952, at Beaver, OK. He attended schools in Liberal, Wichita KS; Colorado Springs, CO, and Houston, TX. He was a proud member of the Miami Nation Tribe of Oklahoma. He was a member of the local#1144 LADS in Seattle, WA. He worked Drywall and Drywall Systems as foreman for many years. Most projects were commercial buildings, and are still being admired for their part of the beautiful city landscapes in Houston, Wichita and Seattle. Charlie was baptized in Derby KS at the Derby First Christian Church in 1995. Following his baptism, he had the honor of baptizing his son, Justin English De Rome. As a single parent Charlie’s hands were full, yet he found time to take Justin fishing, camping and taught him the skill of long bow hunting. Charlie not only hunted, but also attended competitions matching his long bow skill with others. Charlie had a “zest” for living. He loved the outdoors, and was an excellent fisherman. He kept his family and friends supplied with smoked salmon that he prepared using the Indian method. He loved collecting John Wayne movies. Charlie was a gifted artist, and successful business man. For several years he owned and operated “Leather Craft by Charlie” while living in Houston. His work with exotic skins and his talent for tooling leather were well known in Texas. He tanned skins form rattlesnakes he caught at the rattlesnake round ups he attended with his brother, Freddy. Charlie was a quiet soft spoken man. He didn’t talk a lot, but when he did talk, what he said was worth listening to. He had a strong sense of morality and he lived by the “old cowboy honor code”. However, he once told a fellow “not to mistake politeness for weakness”. A handshake and his word was his bond. Charlie gave time and service to the community by helping the Puyallup South Hill Lions Club. He was the night watchman for the Lions projects including the Fireworks Stand and the Christmas Tree Lot. Charlie also traveled to Campbell B.C., with the Lions to participate in the annual Bonspiel. Charlie was a generous man, putting others before himself in many situations. One example was when he lost his storage shed and all its contents in a flood, the Lions Club gave him money to help replace some of the items. Instead, he took three neighboring families, who had losses of their own, shopping and spent the money on them. Charlie said they needed it more than he did. Charlie loved his family dearly and showed his love in many ways. He always greeted everyone with a hug, and said good bye with a hug. He said he could never have too many hugs. He is survived by his mother, Ella Pennington, Liberal, Ks; one brother, Fred De Rome and wife, Susan, Tacoma, WA; two sisters, Connie Dryden and husband, Frank, Galveston, TX; Vicki Melanson and husband, Wayne, Liberal. KS; fiancé, Joann Puvogel and family, Enumclaw, WA; nephews, John De Rome and family, The Colony, TX; Tom Shaw and family, San Diego, CA; Matt Shaw and family, University Place, WA; Sonny Shaw, US Navy; Cory Ward, Issaquah, WA; nieces, Stacy Ward and family, Issaquah, WA; Karen Shaw, San Diego, CA; Sierra and Rachel Shaw, Puyallup, WA; Raven De Rome, Seattle, WA; aunts. Avis Brown, Liberal, KS; Doris Harnden and husband, Dennis, Colorado Springs, CO; Esther Coker, Amarillo, TX; Eunice Welch and husband Gen. Larry Deane Welch, Alexandria, VA; Mary Shumway and husband Merlin, Pratt, KS. He is also survived by many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his son Justin; father Buss; brother Steven; niece Rose Ella; grandparents Earl and Lola Ellis; Frederick and Muriel De Rome; uncles Eldon Ellis; Harold Ellis; Roger Coker; Art Taylor; Howard Massey; Wayne De Rome; Richard De Rome; Riley Mowery; Marvin Dow Sr.; Leroy Fast; and Ralph Pope; aunts Earlene Massey; Hanna “Bunny” Ellis; Irene Steffen; Inez Mowery; Evelyn “Babe” Fast; several cousins and friends. Charlie made a difference in this world. He had a positive outlook and encouraged others even through his own personal struggles and crises. Charlie had two sayings he used often, one was “he was building America 8 feet at a time”, and the second one was “it’s only perfect, but we can fix it if you want.” He was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. A memorial service was held on June 26th, 2011 by family and friends at Wildwood Park, Puyallup, WA.