Obituary of Charles D. Druery

Charles “Chuck” Druery, Jr. went from his wife’s arms into the arms of Jesus on January 3rd, 2020. He remained a warrior to the very end. Fighting his battle of cancer with faith, strength, love and a positive attitude. To know Chuck was to love Chuck. He had a smile and laugh that was contagious. Chuck was born in a little house by the railroad tracks in Fall City, Nebraska to Charles and Rosalie Druery on May 26th, 1941. He joined his older siblings Anna, Edith, and later Jerry, Verna, Dick and Bob were born. The Druery family moved out west to Oregon, to the small town of Dayton. Chuck grew up a very talented and hardworking man that could do just about anything. During one season of his life, Chuck wanted to be a cowboy and drove a cattle truck. He eventually became a heavy machinery operator. In Chuck’s own words “If it had a steering wheel, I could drive it, heavy machinery was my cup of tea”. He was a supervisor for Knife River for 13 years and as he liked to say “I made little rocks out of big rocks”. It was at Knife River that Chuck saved a truck driver’s life, who had collapsed. Chuck started CPR on the man until he began to breathe on his own. Chuck went back to work like nothing had happened. The man came back to the company and told the manager “Your dozer operator saved my life!” Chuck received a “Life Saver Award” in July of 2004 for outstanding courage and humanity from Liberty Mutual. Chuck worked hard and loved to play hard. He enjoyed playing golf, being in the great outdoors and in his shop, creating something out of wood. But most of all, his greatest passions were God and his family. Nancy was the love of his life. They married on August 31st, 1996. They were soul mates and their home was filled with smiles and laughter. Chuck’s only regret wasn’t finding Nancy sooner. Together they built a strong family, becoming their own Brady bunch. Chuck had 5 kids and Nancy had 3 kids. Chuck said “It wasn’t her kids or my kids, it was our kids. All of our kids are good people and so special. Children and family are the only real legacy one leaves.” Chuck’s treasures were his wife of 23 years, Nancy; Sons: Kevin (Karen) Druery of Sunriver, Dennis, (Danielle) Druery of Keizer, Daughters: Kristina (Scott) Scrabeck of Salem, Sherril (David) Kuhns of Salem, Teresa ( Leo) Gonzalez of Monmouth, Shannon Hokit of McMinnville, Danielle (Dennis) Druery of Keizer and Jennifer (Brian) Hamlin of Salem. Chuck had 22 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and one on the way. He also leaves brothers: Jerry Druery, Robert Druery of McMinnville. Bonus brothers: Dan (Elona) Benefiel of Benton City, WA. Jerry (Shelley) Benefiel of Toledo, and Kearney (Carolyn) Benefiel of Olympia, WA. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins that he loved with all his heart. His two four legged boys, Jack and Beau will dearly miss him. Chuck left this life adored by his wife, family, and friends. He had a deep faith in Christ and truly showed us how it is possible to soar on wings like eagles. Celebration of life for Chuck Druery will be on Friday, January 10th, 2:00 p.m. at Dayton Christian Church, 520 Church St. Dayton, OR. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Freedom House Church http://www.freedomhousedayton.com/, P.O. Box 544, Dayton, OR 97114