Charles LeRoy Ostlund

Charles L. “Charlie” Ostlund, 78, passed away at home on May 18, 2022. Charlie was born to Everett and Eleanor Ostlund in Wadena, MN on October 22, 1943. In 1946, Charlie and his family moved to Carbonado, WA. He attended Carbonado Grade School and graduated from White River High School, class of 1961. Charlie worked briefly for the City of Enumclaw before joining the US Army and later the Washington National Guard. After fulfilling his obligation with the US Army, Charlie started a career with the Boeing Company. A machinist by trade, Charlie retired from Boeing in 1999 with 37 years of service. He was a member of the Machinist Union #751. After retirement, Charlie's dream was to pursue his hobby of restoring vintage cars, especially Model T Fords.

Charlie joined the Tacoma Model T Ford Club in 1967. He held many positions including president and chairman of the Tacoma Model T Ford Club Early Bird Swap Meet and Car Show in Puyallup. Also in 1967, Charlie joined the Model T Ford Club International (MTFCI). He served as International President in 1997. Charlie was a former member of the Carbon Canyon Model T Club. He helped the club get its charter from the MTFCI. His first restoration project was a 1915 Ford touring car, part of which he discovered in a gulch in Montana. Since then, he has acquired many Model T’s, one cylinder gas engines, tractors, Volkswagens, and other vintage cars. He became known as an expert in Model T restoration nationwide. Charlie was also an avid antique toy collector. He was one of the partners of Harvest of Toy's, one of the largest toy shows of its kind in the northwest. Charlie and Gloria, traveled the country together attending toy shows, participating in antique car tours, and going to swap meets, especially the “big one” in Hershey, PA.

 Charlie and Gloria celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary just days before his passing. Charlie's memory will live in the hearts of everyone that knew him, especially his wife Gloria; his sons, Tony (Rachel) and Ford (Sonja), both from Orting; his siblings Bill of Carbonado and Susan (Black) of Sumner; his uncle Dick Swift of Glencoe, MN; four grandchildren, Toni Jayne, Annie, Lizzy, and Bella; and several brother and sister in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

A gathering to celebrate Charlie's life will be on Saturday, June 4 at 2 p.m. at the Wilkeson Eagles Club #1409, 534 Church St. (SR 165). Memorials may be made to Tacoma Model “T” Club Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1068, Sumner,Wa. 98390. 

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