The Garden Home History community has lost some good people over the last year or so.

First, we lost Charles Vedder, husband of Garden Home History Project board member Sharon Vedder.

Charlie was a long-time resident of Garden Home, moving here in 1964 when he purchased a trailer on a plot of land.

He met and married Sharon in 1967 and they lived together in that trailer for a while, but when children started appearing it was time to sell the trailer and build a home. They raised 3 children there.

After Charlie retired, he volunteered on the Steamer Portland. He also loved cars all his life—there wasn’t a motor he couldn’t rebuild and get to run. He was always tinkering with things. If it wasn’t working, he brought it home and fixed it, then tried to give it away.

He loved spending time with his 3 children and their spouses and 14 grandkids. He loved the Garden Home area, and was always out walking, sometimes with a grandkid. He started his new journey on June 16, 2025, from his home in Garden Home, as he requested.

He will be dearly missed.