Charles M. Breckenridge

Our beloved husband, father, and friend Charles Melvin Breckenridge passed away on May 24, 2013 at the age of 90 years. Born in North Dakota, Breck experienced drought, tornadoes, and blizzards on the family farm. During the Dust Bowl Breck's family relocated to Centralia, WA. Breck was a student at WSU when his studies were interrupted by World War II. While at USMC Officer Training at the UW he met his future wife, Lois Jean Nichols. Breck and Lois were married on New Years Eve 1943. Breck finished training at Camp LeJeune's Special Officers Candidate School. As part of the 4th Marine Division Lieutenant Breckenridge survived the initial assault of Iwo Jima, receiving the Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. After the war, Breck received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering from WSU in 1947. Breck was co-owner of Dickerson Pump and Irrigation, providing irrigation systems to farmers throughout the Inland Northwest. Breck loved to plant trees at his Spokane Valley home. He provided and helped plant the trees that shade Valley Mission Park picnickers. An avid outdoorsman, Breck belonged to the Association of Northwest Steelheaders, and Trout Unlimited. He loved to hike, on one excursion reaching the Mt. Baker summit. After retirement from Dickerson, Breck spent most of his time fishing and planting trees in his garden. Breck is survived by Lois, his wife of 70 years, son Roy Breckenridge, daughters Dana Komen, Sally Breckenridge, and Laurie Castle, eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Memorial contributions can be made in Breck's name to Hospice of Spokane, Arbor Day Foundation, or Nature Conservancy. May 24, 2013