Gordon Charles

Gordon Charles

Gordon H. Charles, 86, of Traverse City, was a longtime outdoors writer who shared his "Outdoors With Gordie" columns with The St. Ignace News and several other northern Michigan newspapers. An authority on hunting, fishing, and wildlife, he was known to readers for his folksy columns, which often featured puns and gentle humor. Mr. Charles died Wednesday, May 2, 2007, at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City, with his family at his side.

He was born August 23, 1920, in Salisbury, North Carolina, to Earl and Myrtle (nee Hull) Charles.

After honorably serving his country in the United States Army during World War II, Mr. Charles married Dorothy Hahnenberg August 23, 1947. They lived in Traverse City until 1961, then moving to Pierre, South Dakota, where he worked for the Game, Fish and Parks Department.

In 1965 they returned to Michigan, eventually settling in Traverse City. Mr. Charles was a disc jockey for WTCM and then a journalist for the Traverse City Record-Eagle, retiring in 1997. He was an outdoor and travel editor also. He began writing his freelance "Outdoors With Gordie" column in 1952, and also wrote five books. A prolific writer and well traveled reporter, Mr. Charles had work published in hundreds of publications over his career. He was a member and past president of the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association and a member of Outdoor Writers Association of America.

He was a member of Central United Methodist Church.

Mr. Charles is survived by his wife, Dorothy; four children and their families, Ruthann and Edward Kalohn of Milford, Donald and Gabi Charles of Honolulu, Hawaii, William and Clarissa Charles of Roseville, and Janice and John Vondra of Holt; a sister, LaVerne Hunter of Bonita Springs, Florida, and a stepsister, Audrey Haskell of Fort Pierce, Florida. Mr. Charles was the loving grandfather of Christopher, Laura, Keith, Kimberly, Kaley, Norah, Abbey, MacKenzie, and Hannah.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Edward Zimmerman.

Visitation was Friday, May 4, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Services were Saturday, May 5, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with the Reverend John Ellinger officiating.

Memorial donations may be directed to Munson Hospice House or the American Cancer Society.