Charles was born the son of Maurice and June Andes Douglas in Malcom, Iowa. He was raised on the family farm and was educated at rural schools near his home. He graduated from BGM High School in Brooklyn, Iowa with the class of 1954. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on July 21, 1954, in Des Moines, Iowa and served domestically in the United States and in England and occupied Germany. He was honorably discharged from active duty on October 31, 1974 at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Charles was united in marriage to Ruby Lee Criswell on October 10, 1956, in Grinnell, Iowa. To this union were born their children, Brenda, Cheryl, Vicky, Connie, Charles Jr, Rhonda, and Tammy. Upon his retirement from the United States Air Force, he worked at several local businesses in Grinnell including Farmhand, McNally's, Grinnell Beverage, Cargill, Manatts, Donaldson's and Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance. He was an outdoorsman and he enjoyed fishing, hunting and trapping. His enjoyments included listening to bluegrass music, attending auctions, collecting toys, gardening, yard work, and watching the finches in his backyard. Charles is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ruby Douglas of Grinnell; his children, Brenda (Dennis) Lowry of Kellogg, IA, Cheryl (Scott) Banzhaf of Marshalltown, Vicky (Don) Zeltman of Eldora, IA, Connie (George) Thompson of Montezuma, IA, Charles (Melinda Hensley) Douglas, Jr. of Pella, IA, Rhonda Carroll of Newton, IA, Tammy (Chad) Machin of Kellogg, IA; 19 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; his brother, Ray Douglas of Bettendorf, IA; and his sisters, Grace LaKose of Brooklyn, IA, Jan Douglas of Des Moines, IA, and Kay Rohm of Marysville, CA. Charles was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Loren and Maurice Jr.; and his grandson T.J. Douglas. Memorials may be directed to the Charles E. Douglas Memorial Fund and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, 1103 Broad Street, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.