Charles "Chuck" R. Waite

Charles Ray Waite passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, January 19, 2025, in Cambridge, Idaho, at the age of 83. Charles “Chuck” was born on July 31, 1941, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Ray and Verlinda Waite.  He and his three siblings spent their childhood years on a farm outside American Falls. In 1957, at age 16, Chuck moved with his parents and younger brother to a larger farm in Midvale, Idaho. His responsibility during the move was to independently drive farm equipment over 300 miles to their new home.  Chuck shouldered many responsibilities on the farm in addition to being an excellent student. He graduated from Midvale High School in 1960. He continued working on the family farm until he joined the military.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1969 as a paratrooper and achieved the rank of PFC E-3.  Upon his return, Chuck spent time logging and firefighting in the Idaho wilderness.  Chuck was a doer. He and a couple close friends founded a volunteer emergency response system in Midvale in 1976. Beginning with “fire phones” which emitted a continuous loud ring to pagers to cell phones, volunteers responded to their neighbors’ emergency medical needs and saved many lives. The program grew to include an ambulance and fire trucks. He loved to fly and was a member of the Midvale Flying Club. He also enjoyed heading up the tractor pull event and donating the meat for the community 4th of July celebrations.  Chuck valued being part of Midvale’s strong community spirit. He believed in helping his neighbors and those in need. Chuck was beloved by his nieces and nephews, always making it fun to spend time on the farm during their holiday and summer breaks. 

Chuck is survived by his three siblings:  Wilma Ogle (Upland, CA), Ruth Kugler (Pocatello, ID), and David Waite (Pocatello, ID); nieces and nephews: Amy (Dennis) Kendall, Allison (John) Rodriguez, Jenny Teresi,  Kelvin Kugler, Curtis Kugler, Dennis (Cece) Kugler; many great-nieces and -nephews and their families; a cousin , Brent Daniels; many dear friends and neighbors. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers-in-law, David Ogle and Gerald Kugler; a niece Tanda (Joe) Pratt, and a nephew Jeffrey Ogle.     

A special thanks to the staff of Salubria Center in Cambridge for their loving care of Chuck during his stay this last year and a half.

Graveside service will be held on Saturday, January 25th at the Keithley Creek Cemetery at 2pm followed by a reception at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Midvale. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to the Midvale Fire Department, P.O. Box 131 Midvale, Idaho 83645