Portland Observer Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Charles Washington
Portland Observer publisher dies at age 60
Portland Observer Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Charles H. Washington, died Dec. 8, 2012. He was 60 years old.
Washington led the newspaper, the oldest African-American publication in the state, since 1995 when he took over the company from his mother, Joyce Washington.
He joined the Portland Observer in 1990 as public relations director and assistant editor after a 15 year entrepreneurial stint in small business ownership and property management.
He developed a new marketing strategy, restructured operations, and was instrumental in propelling the paper into the mainstream publication and influential community voice that it is today.
He was a strong advocate for local schools and improving the economic base of Portland’s minority communities.
Last month, when the Portland Observer Foundation sponsored a community banquet to award scholarships for young people and recognize leaders from the community who are advocates for disadvantaged and minority communities, the event showcased the publication’s mission.
Washington’s goal as publisher was to create a media outlet that was dedicated to diversity, the African-American community, but also the Latino, immigrant and newly gentrified communities. As Portland grew in diversity, the Portland Observer grew.
With the help of his brothers and wife, Elizabeth, Washington worked hard to ensure that his mother’s legacy as a tireless advocate for the community continued.
He established in 1996 the Joyce Washington Memorial Scholarship Fund for graduating high school seniors and community college students interested in pursuing careers in journalism and/or community service. The newspaper foundation expanded on those scholarship opportunities.
Washington was a Portland native who loved his neighborhood roots.
He graduated from Jefferson High School where he played basketball and baseball, lettering in varsity basketball and baseball all four years. As a senior, he was named to the All City basketball team and to the All State baseball team, having captured the highest batting average in the state. In later years, he greatly enjoyed playing golf.
Active in community athletic programs and other social service organizations from a very early age, he chose to remain in Portland for his post-secondary education. He pursued studies in marketing, communications, and political science at Mt Hood Community College, Portland Community College, and finally Portland State University.
He was a volunteer coach for community basketball and baseball programs for 25 years, from Little League to Portland summer college baseball.
He served as president of Portland’s District 1 Peninsula Little League, was a member of the NAACP, Urban League, Portland Chamber of Commerce, and the Portland Chapter of the African American Chamber of Commerce.
He was a long time sponsor of Self Enhancement, Inc., a nationally recognized non-profit organization for children at risk, and an annual supporter of the Portland Golf Youth Association.
He was a beloved mentor to his children, extended family members and other young people from the community.
He felt his truly greatest achievements and blessings in life were through his family. Some of his proudest moments were watching his children graduate from school with advanced degrees in their respective callings: law, medicine, education and eco-science. Delighting in the arrival of each new grandchild, he felt his life had come full circle.
Washington is predeceased by his son Christopher, mother Joyce, grandmother Frieda and brother Cory.
He is survived by his loving wife Beth; son Rakeem and wife Molly; daughter Chaka and fiancé Matt; daughter Serena and husband Logan; son Omar and wife Makaela; grandchildren Emmanuelle, Jaheim, Nyla, and Marcellus; father Duane; brothers Ronald, Tony, Gary, and Mark; sisters Audrey and Denise; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends that were very close to his heart.
He will be truly missed.
My husban, Neil, and I were privileged to know and work with Charles (Chuck) Washington, when Neil provided articles and photos for The Portland Observer some years ago. We knew him as a kind, generous man, very much committed to carrying on the newspaper his mother had founded years before. His sense of professionalism and pride of accomplishment showed in the product he and the Portland Observer staff have continued to produce over the years. Saying he will be truly missed is on target, seems not enough for this man who gave himself wholeheartedly to his community — the WHOLE Portland community. Yet it has to express what we surely all feel and are unable to say more deeply. Neil’s and my condolences to Chuck’s family, as we call on God’s blessings to help heal the hole left by his passing.
“No one knows the day or the hour when the Son of Man cometh”
I just received the word from Paul “PJ” Knauls, Jr. of Charles “Chuckie” Washington’s passing over ther weekend.
While my heart is conflicted as I share in mourning his passing, I’m also reassured of his salvation as a believer in the body of Christ to rejoice in knowing that God has called another “Champion of the Community” from labor to reward.
The Bible says in John 14:1-4, and 27
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
May God’s unending love comfort the entire extended family at this time of sorrow as you rest assured that tomorrow hope still springs eternal for those who no longer we can see but will always feel in our hearts.
It is well with Chuckie’s soul.
Pastor Renee’ Ward
Chrysalis Ministries
Just to add one personal piece to what my wife said in her comments: When he knew that we were going up to Seattle to celebrate our 25th wedding (almost 15 years ago), and were a low-income couple, he pulled out his checkbook, wrote a check for $50 and said, “Make sure you go to a really nice restaurant, on me.” I will really miss him, and the way he reminded me that the Observer was not just a black newspaper but a paper that wanted to encourage a greater view of diversity in the community. He really cared! I loved that man! May God ease the pain his family and community feel in his loss, but may we all be blessed for having known him. May we always strive to emulate his loving vision.
1-7-2012
I just want to say thank you Chucky for those encouraging words that you gave me when we were just 13, I will never forget them.\Paulette Taylor
I am really saddened just hearing this news now. I have to say, I have some great memories of Chuck. As an aspiring reporter / photographer he was the first person to take a chance on me. He went beyond that though – he really encouraged me, made me feel like I was a central part of the journalism business from the get-go. Charles definitely had a light and a way about him. The word charisma is an understatement. He was funny, original, pugnacious, dedicated, and kind. Somewhere I have a notebook scribbled with all the hilarious original things he would say. Sometimes I wanted to come to work just to see how he would make me laugh, cheer me up. God bless all his friends and family. At least by this reporter and friend, he will be remembered very fondly.