Chirls "Charly" S. Duty, Sr., 82, a long time Farmington resident, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2011 at his home. A private family graveside will be held in the Mountain View Cemetery at Farmington. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, August 20th at 3:00 pm at the Farmington Seventh Day Adventist Church. Charly was born December 20, 1928 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma to Hubert and Opal (Ferguson) Duty. His dad worked in the oil fields and the family moved several times as Charly was growing up. He married Couleen Wagner of Farmington August 3, 1950 and was just short of celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary together. Shortly after they married, Charly enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He served overseas in Pusan as a hospital medic. He was honorably discharged in 1953 and returned to his bride Couleen and their 15 month old son, Chirls, Jr. They have lived in the same house in Farmington their whole life. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad on a section crew for five years and then spent a couple of years working for area farmers. Charly began working for the Gordon T. Shaw Grain Company for several years before a fall and an injured back forced him to retire. He went to Spokane Community College and completed a course in printing. He got a job at Washington State University in the printing department and was there for nearly 18 years before retiring in 1985. He was a member of the Farmington Seventh Day Adventist Church and had served on the Farmington Volunteer Fire Department and Farmington City Council at various times. He enjoyed reading, gardening and wood-working, especially liking to make things on his lathe. Charly also wrote a book about his childhood, growing up and his military service. He wanted his family and grandchildren to know his history and roots. He leaves behind his loving wife of 61 years Couleen; son Chirls, Jr. and his wife Jeneen of Spokane, daughter Tanya Thygeson and her husband Bob of Farmington; 3 grandchildren, Chelsea Thygeson, Jedidiah Duty and Marla Szwasf; 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter, his brother Earl Duty of Hilo, Hawaii and a sister, Vesper Cuawe of Deer Park, WA. Charly was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Sandra Lyn in 1963, a grandson Jesse, granddaughter Cozetta and a brother, Seaburn. The family suggests memorials be made to the Farmington SDA Church or the Farmington/Garfield EMTs. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, is caring for the family.