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BORN
1947
DIED
2024
CHARLES FULLAM Obituary
Charlie grew up in Oakridge, Tennessee, where his father worked for the Atomic Energy Commission. There, he developed a love of hiking, backpacking, and caving. During the Vietnam War, he was a conscientious objector and served as a medic in Germany.
After his service, he moved west and settled in Yosemite, working for Yosemite National Park, first as an emergency dispatcher and then as a law enforcement ranger in Yosemite Valley. Over the next 30 years as a ranger, he further developed his outdoor skills: hiking, ski mountaineering, multi-day snow surveys, firefighting, and climbing - all of which he used in the hundreds of searches and rescues he performed over those decades.
As a first responder, he further developed the medical skills he learned while serving in Germany by becoming a paramedic and qualified to rappel from helicopters to render aid in the remote areas of Yosemite.
Mostly, though, Charlie will be remembered as a great storyteller able to recite, from memory, Robert Service's "The Cremation of Sam McGee," among other great epics. For most of his career, he was stationed at Lake Eleanor in the north part of Yosemite. There, he dedicated himself to protecting the land, critters, and helping tens of thousands of visitors have a safe and enjoyable visit to Yosemite. For this dedication to the park, he was recognized by his peers with the Barry Hance award, among many other service awards.
The National Park Service is a small family, and he and Geraldine have friends scattered in national parks across the nation, loving the time they spend with them, the hikes they took and the memories shared. Good friends he leaves behind, George Durkee and Paige Meier, Tom and Nancy Griffith, Joann Bey, Jennifer Morris and so many more.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Charles E. Fullam and Laurentina Fullam. He is survived by his dear sister Kathy Shanks; brother John Fullam, and sister Mary Fullam, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and, not least, his beloved Airedale Ben.
If you would like to remember Charlie with a charitable donation, some of his favorites are Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club, and The Southern Poverty Law Center.
Services will be held at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for CHARLES FULLAM
Kathy Brown
November 3, 2024
I had the great pleasure of getting to know Charlie when he served as the YNP information ranger assigned to the Groveland Yosemite Gateway museum for a couple summers pre-COVID and I was a docent. He was always extremely helpful and friendly - giving visitors from all over the world the information about all things park-related that they were seeking with humor and patience. His wealth of knowledge about the park and its history enriched visits to our museum for tourists and locals alike. Charlie made the minutes when we had no visitors in the museum fly by for our docents, filling them with stories and wisdom. I´m so sorry to have not had more summers with Charlie´s presence in our museum.
Shelton Johnson
October 17, 2024
So sorry to hear of his passing! He was a ranger's ranger, and a consumate professional. I didn't know him well, but I knew of him. He had a presence and helped a lot of people who needed his help. May he rest in that sweet peace he earned in his life on this earth.
Margaret Eissler
October 16, 2024
I don't remember how I met Charlie. All I know is that I'd run into him now and then over the years working in Yosemite. It was always a bright moment-his smile and welcoming presence, the way he put things into perspective and made everything better. I treasured these unexpected, joyful hellos. I still do.
Annie Barrett
October 14, 2024
I was lucky to know Charlie through Yosemite NPS and the community for many years. he was always such a fine, kind person. Charlie was just tops in all he did. He was insightful and knew what was important in life. People. Animals. Environment. Community.
I don' think I ever directly worked with him with my years on trail crew, Yosemite Institute, or teaching school, but it was through the community that we knew each other. Mutual respect. I think we shared similar thoughts about what's important in life. People. Kindness. Doing our jobs. Helping others. Doing our best. I don't know. But, we will all miss Charlie. When Charlie smiled, his whole being lit up with his light. He didn't hold back joy. I think he loved what he did in Yosemite and that really showed. He helped a lot of people. That is a life well lived. Thank you, Charlie!
Steve Weinstock
October 14, 2024
Last night (10/14/2024) I returned home from a week of camping at Holland Lake in Montana. I had a dream about Charlie and woke up thinking about him. I have not seen Charlie since 1993. This morning I thought I would look up 'Charlie Fullem' on the internet to see if I could locate him. Well I did, and here we are. Crazy! I worked with Charlie in the Mather District between 1988-1992. I had a great amount of respect for Charlie as he was very knowledgeable and humble. A great Ranger who deserved far more recognition for his work than the NPS Administration would provide. Charlie was a great seasoned Paramedic and SAR Ranger. I really appreciated Charlie when he would arrive to back me up on law enforcement contacts whenever he came into the main district office area. I always thought Charlie was one of the coolest guys around. I am so sad to see he passed. There is some type of connection between all of us that we have not fully tapped into. Why after all these years did I dream of Charlie and decide to look him up on the computer this morning. I had a feeling something was happening and it appears I was a few days too late. This life is so short and there are no do overs. I hope to see Charlie on the other side. May God make smooth the path he now follows.
JR & Karen Tomasovic
October 12, 2024
We will always cherish our fun times with Charlie and Geraldine. He was just the best. Such a loss.
Jen VanDragt
October 10, 2024
Geraldine, I am so sorry for your loss.
I had the honor of being a seasonal ranger with Charlie as my field trainer in Yosemite at Big Oak Flat. The training I received from Charlie gave me the guidance and training I needed to be a well rounded and mindful ranger for the years I was a U.S. Park Ranger. Charlie also always told me to have fun while at the same to always remember my job was to provide a safe experience for park visitors.
I´ll always remember Charlie´s smile and his laugh as well as our ice cream breaks at the Big Oak Flat gas station.
Jen VanDragt
Jeff Webb
October 10, 2024
Charlie Fullam was a true "rangers ranger". I have so many fond memories of working with him on the North End of Yosemite from around 2001-93 and then from 2007 to when he retired circa 2008?
Many of those experiences I relate to the younger rangers I work with every day. Charlie had a wonderful disposition and great sense of humor. He was always curious and helpful.
After he retired I would often see his car parked in random places along the Tioga Road and it gave me great satisfaction knowing that Charlie was out and about poking around!
Charlie was a ranger that I'll always remember and I am very thankful for the time we shared together.
Dave Lattimore
October 10, 2024
Charlie and Jake - my first memories of Charlie from when I first met him when I moved to Yosemite. Charlie was the most dedicated ranger I have known, he was tireless in his work to protect the park's resources and help visitors in distress. He knew the north country of Yosemite better than anyone. He knew where the poaching camps were, the likely travel routes of lost hikers, the best places to land a helicopter and he knew the boundary which most rangers never saw. He was so committed to the Lake Eleanor operation and it was hard for him to move into the "main" district but his skills and talents were much needed and his medic skills enabled a number of visitors to survive their injuries or other medical conditions. I know I worked on more late night callouts with Charlie from Hodgdon Meadow than with anyone else - traffic crashes, ambulance runs, campground mayhem, you name it, Charlie was always ready to go. He was meticulous in maintaining the ambulance and when the first snowflake fell, he had it chained up and the heaters going. He and I butted heads on a lot of issues on how to get things done in the district but being 2 of the oldest guys in the district, we would end up laughing at our disagreements and sometimes just did it out of habit. I always knew I could count on Charlie. He also was the biggest champion of the underdog and I think that both of us being products of the southern Appalachians we shared similar values. No one can ever replace Charlie!
Mary Coelho
October 10, 2024
Fond memories of Charlie when I worked in the Law Enforcement Office and he'd bring in some knucklehead for "booking." I could always count on him to make me smile with his antics. And, his famous enchilada parties!
Sally Sprouse
October 9, 2024
Charlie and I shared a lot of good laughs working together at Big Oak Flat! He was a positive influence on countless people over many decades. I will remember him fondly whenever I come across an orange Vols cap or a pan of homemade enchiladas!
Fred Koegler
October 9, 2024
I have many fond memories of Charlie and I´m sad to hear of his loss. He was cheerful and friendly and Welcoming to others. He will be missed!
Fred Koegler
Eric Gabriel
October 9, 2024
Geraldine, I am so very sorry for your loss. I feel very fortunate to have had the honor to work with Charlie. First as a new seasonal being mentored by him to a direct supervisor and manager to him. Throughout each role he showed patience, grace, compassion and professionalism. He was an outstanding ranger and an even more incredible person. He will be missed.
Holly Rife
October 9, 2024
Charlie, always had the biggest smile, warmest heart and best homemade bread. I'm honored I got to be a park ranger alongside Charlie
Jennifer Morris
October 9, 2024
I have so many dear memories of Charlie. I remember being pregnant with my daughter Brenda who is 21 now, and being at work in Yosemite and he being a park medic and telling me if I went into labor at work he´d be there to deliver her! I felt safe when Charlie was near. And years later I bought a house a few doors down from Charlie and Geraldine and he´d stop by for chats while he walked his dog. We both always felt better after the chats. I´ll sure miss him and am so lucky to have had him as a father figure in my life.
Geraldine
October 8, 2024
Charlie came over to Cherry lake to get water for his cabin at lake Eleanor. I was working on the engine crew and he invited any of us to come over and canoe. I was the only one who went and the rest is our history.
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