Charles (Charlie) Spring
Charles (Charlie) Spring was born in Seattle on November 3, 1950, and passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, July 21, 2019.
Mary Lou and Charlie at Lake City
Early onset Alzheimer’s disease was so difficult for him and our family, and it was truly amazing that through it all he was able to recognize me (his wife of 44 years), our two fantastic sons, Chris and Michael, Chris’ wife Val, and their two beautiful children, his beloved grandchildren.
Mary Lou and Charlie
He is also survived by his three brothers, Dave (husband Joe), Rich, and Bernie, and his sister Marianne. He also had a trusting relationship with my sister, Sue, who helped with his daily care, and also, many trips to the beach. It was quite remarkable and meant so much to all of us that his memory of our faces and voices stayed with him up to the very last hours of consciousness.
Charlie had successful careers at Music West, Nordstrom, Ravenna Volvo, and Rood Nissan Volvo, and it was his love for music that brought him back to entertaining. I would like to insert his own words from the bio that he created:
“I began writing and arranging my own music when I was fifteen. I led a
band in the Seattle area from 1965 to 1974 that garnered some local notoriety, performing at the Sky River Rock Festival, Eagle’s Auditorium, the Medicine Show, and other legendary venues of the day.
I’m self-taught, except for a few music classes in college and voice lessons with the late George Peckham in 1972 and 1973.
I was a sideman for bluesmen John Lee Hooker and Albert Collins during their Seattle performances from 1969 to 1972.”
He went on to perform throughout the Greater Seattle area at Folk Life and other festivals, Farmer’s Markets, coffee houses, pubs and taverns, the Peace Concerts, and I’m sure more I can’t remember. He also started a business he called Melody House and played for audiences that were unable to get out on their own to hear music. He told me it was like a circle of love; his love sent out to his audience as he played, and the folks listening sending their love back to him. I’m sure he would like to thank everyone who supported him through the years; hiring him, coming to performances and purchasing his CD’s. A fond memory for me is working with him creating his CD covers.
Listening to his CDs was something he enjoyed by himself and with us up to the very end of his life. Thank you, Charlie, for the good times and the good music you left with us.
I also want to say thank you to all the wonderful people who have helped us through these difficult years of dealing with Alzheimer’s disease; there is so little known about it and at the same time so many individuals that gave us their love and help, so again, Thank You!