Frank Charmley

Oct 19, 1944 -

Feb 5, 2020

Lifelong Alaskan Frank Joseph Charmley died on Feb. 5, 2020. He was 75 years old. He spent his last days in the care of family.

A visitation will be held at Legacy Funeral Homes, Bragaw Chapel, 1707 South Bragaw Street in Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Frank was born in Wadena County, Minn., to Roy B. Charmley and Vedna "Myra" Charmley (nee Meech). He was brought to Alaska by his parents when he was just 2 years old. His father and mother lived in Anchorage until the family obtained a homestead across the inlet at Point McKenzie. Frank spent many years growing up on the homestead, where he learned to hunt and survive in the wilderness. He had the ingenuity of a true Alaskan, able to fix or solve any problems. In his teenage years, he was a boxer. He joined the Army in 1964, and was sent to Germany and Vietnam. He was very proud of his military service and his tours of duty in Vietnam.

In 1970, he met and married Mary (Stephan). They had three children together. Frank worked as a heavy equipment operator for the city after his military service and was later a civilian employee at Elmendorf Air Force base. He also worked remotely on the islands of Shemya and Adak. Frank was an avid poker player and a loving father. His family and close friends meant everything to him. While Frank was often loud and feisty, he had a heart of gold, a thousand stories and a love for animals. His family wrote he will be greatly missed.

Frank is survived by his sister, Luella Armstrong; children, Melissa Hurt and her husband Clay; daughter, April Charmley; son, Adam Charmley; grandchildren, McKenzie, Maggie, Joseph, Autumn and Aubrey; and Shawn Gilman, who was like a daughter to him. He also leaves behind many close friends and other family. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Mardell and Beverly; and his brother-in-law, Robert. Arrangements have been entrusted to Legacy Funeral homes, Bragaw Chapel.