Charlie the Tuna remembered

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Story Published: Jun 16, 2008 at 3:46 PM PDT

By Azenith Smith

CHARLESTON, Ore. - For decades, he served as a beloved public figure in Charleston. Now, with his recent passing, community members pay their respects to a great catch, Charlie the Tuna.

It was a day of remembrance, full of memories and song.

An estimated 50 mourners, both of land and the sea, celebrated the life of Charlie the Tuna at his wake at the Visitor's Center on Saturday.

"Charlie's been an icon for Charleston," said Fire Captain Rusty Shield. "Like I said, Charleston doesn't have much, but everything they do have here, they take pride in it. Charlie is part of that pride."

"Oh, he greeted me when I went into town," said mourner Ruth Redding. "There he was, visiting with me."

Since 1968, Charlie stood at the entrance of town, welcoming visitors to the town of Charleston - until a kidnapping gone wrong tragically ended his life.

Last week, local law enforcement found the missing 8-foot wooden carving in a nearby remote area after two pranksters took him and sliced him into fillets.

Since he was suffering from internal parasites or termites, the Charleston Merchants Association thought it was best to let him go.

In the coming weeks, they plan to cremate him and bury his ashes with a headstone in his honor.

A carver from Loon Lake is planning to donate another Charlie the Tuna wood carving that she made at this past weekend's carving competition in Reedsport.

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