Charles Kingsley Burridge

Charles Kingsley Burridge beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather during his incredible 96 years of life passed away peacefully in his home on February 23, 2023.

Charles was born May 3,1926 in Cadillac Michigan. He often shared his wonderful memories of growing up in Cadillac spending time in the lakes, rivers and woods with his German Shephard “Boy”. During the winter months he enjoyed spending time on the slopes skiing with friends and family.

At the young age of 17 he enlisted into the Marine Corp during World War II. He served time in the Mariana Islands and Guam until the end of the war at which time Charles volunteered with the China Marines supporting the Nationalists in their fight against the communist’s. After returning home he took advantage of the GI Bill to finish High School and further his education at Michigan Tech.

In March of 1953 he married Janet Christine Given and they made their first home in Lansing Michigan where he attended Michigan State University and obtained his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.

After graduating from Michigan State, they moved to Hibbing, MN. Charles worked in the Mining Supply business with Hewitt Robbins which serviced the iron ore mines of Minnesota and Michigan.  His first son, and named after his brother who died in WWII (William Albert Burridge II) was born in Hibbing in 1954. In 1955 with his family expanding, they relocated to Golden Valley, MN where his second son, Mark Given Burridge was born.

Wanting to start his own mining supply business in the late fifties the family relocated to Negaunee MI where Charles started Burridge, Inc. to service iron ore and copper mines throughout the Upper Peninsula of MI. His daughters, Janelle Christine and Lisa Kay were born while they lived in Negaunee. In 1964 Charles had a home built in Marquette Michigan and the family resided in this home until the early eighties.

He loved spending summers on his boat the BoJaMarLi. He often shared his memories of the boating adventures on Lake Michigan and Lake Superior with family and friends.

Charles also loved to spend time at hunting camp on the Yellow Dog River just relaxing or going up on a Sunday to watch the Packer game on and old black and white TV powered by a car battery.

After closing Burridge Inc., he lived for a brief time in Missouri and Texas before moving and settling down closer to his children and grandchildren in the Seattle area. He worked as a Land Developer well into his seventies and developed several subdivisions and housing developments in Kent and Bonney Lake Washington.

His love for the outdoors and nature continued throughout his life and he shared this love with his children and grandchildren. He loved to take drives to Mt. Rainier and stop at Crystal Mountain to take the gondola up to the summit house for a cold beer and bite to eat and then continue up to Sunrise Park to get closer to the top of Mt. Rainier, he could sit for hours with his binoculars looking at the mountain.

Charles is survived by his wife, Janet Christine Burridge. His sons William Albert Burridge II “Bo” (Pam) of Black Diamond WA, Mark Given Burridge (Kara) of Tucson, AZ. Daughters Janelle Christine Burridge of Kent WA, Lisa Kay Burridge of Covington WA. And Family friend Cindy Nelson.

Grand children: Charles K. Burridge II, Jared Abbott, Christine Abbott, Kiri (Josh) Immordino, Alden (Corysa) Burridge, Chris Nelson, Melissa (Taylor) Brown, Chris (Melanie) McCain.

Great Grandchildren, Ruby, Stella, Owen, Audrey, Lauren, Madison, and Remington

Known as “Grandpa” by numerous friends of his oldest granddaughter Christine. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents Alvin Lewis and Edith Alberta Burridge, Step mother Ester Burridge, Brothers George Nau Burridge(Spig), Lewis Alvin Burridge(Ann), William Albert Burridge. His sister Maybelle Rexford (Bruce) and Great Grandson Ethan Kingsley Burridge.

Our entire family would like to thank Providence Hospice of Seattle and Dr. Katherine Ritchey of the Seattle VA for the care and support Charles received allowing him to be at home with family the final months of his life.

Charles will be cremated and laid to rest in the Burridge family plot later this year in Cadillac, MI. A celebration of life will be held on May 14, 2023, In Auburn Washington. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Tunnel 2 Towers project or to your local animal shelter in his name.

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