Obituary: John R. Charles
John R. Charles, a Portland native whose booming voice and generous spirit left a mark on two coasts, died on Aug. 16, 2026, in Chandler, Arizona. He was 90.
Born in Portland on Oct. 26, 1935, Charles was widely known by his nickname, "Crow." He graduated from Deering High School and later attended the University of Maine, where he joined the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. His education was interrupted by military service; he was drafted into the U.S. Army, served two years, and was called back for an additional 10 months.
After his military service, Charles settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he lived for more than 50 years. He spent four decades working in the specialty food and confection business, building a career that reflected what family and friends described as a lifelong passion for food.
"John was also an avid eater and he was actually a 'foodie' before it became a thing," according to a tribute written about him.
In retirement, Charles devoted himself to volunteer work, often for stretches of 16 or 17 years at a time. He read the news at the Lighthouse for the Blind in San Francisco, recorded audiobooks for visually impaired listeners through Books Aloud in San Jose, and assisted the Millbrae Police Department. He also served as a volunteer docent at the Filoli Historic House and Gardens for 17 years, where he was known for sharing his knowledge with visitors.
Charles was a longtime member of the San Mateo Elks Lodge. In 2019, he moved from San Mateo, California, to Chandler, Arizona, to be closer to family. He is survived by his sister, Lucille; niece Priscilla Seibel and her husband Randy; nephew Chuck Spencer; nephew Dennis Charles and his wife, Barbara; and niece Diane Charles and her husband, Kevin Grim.
Charles had been living with Parkinson's disease. In lieu of flowers, his family has asked that donations be made to the Parkinson's Foundation to support research into the illness.
Two celebrations of his life are planned. The first will be held Sept. 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. A second gathering is scheduled for Sept. 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Park at Copper Creek Independent Living Community, 901 S. 94th St., Chandler, Arizona. Burial at Forest City Cemetery in South Portland will be private.
