Charles H. Givens | Passages

November 12, 1933 – May 31, 2025

A native of San Jose, California, Charles was fascinated by trains and airplanes as a young child and this led to a lifelong passion for trains and especially steam. He grew up in nearby Los Gatos, where he graduated from Los Gatos High School, worked as a printer for the local newspaper and became an avid photographer. At The Los Gatos Daily Times, he met lifelong friends who shared his love of trains and spent weekends and school breaks with them pursuing and photographing railroads all over Northern California. It was not unusual to find the bathtub full of prints washing in the family’s bathroom!

He studied engineering at San Jose State University but was drafted into the US Army near the end of the Korean War. He served his tour of duty at Ft. Lewis, Washington, in the Communication Corps. After discharge from the Army, he worked as a draftsman and photographer for a local microwave company, Mel-Labs. One evening he met his mother’s student teacher, Nancy. They fell in love and were married until her death 55 years later.

During his career Charles owned and operated Big Trees Press in Felton, California, and Glenwood Publishing in Scotts Valley, which produced many books related to trains, along with a model railroad magazine the Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette. That led to graphic design and consulting work for West Side Model Company and others. Charles then partnered with Vern Cole and for many years they ran a successful model railroad store, The Train Shop, in San Jose. He compiled an impressive library of original railroad photos and books, and he and his buddies even owned an old observation car––red velvet inside and all––which they used for excursions on the Southern Pacific.

In the 1970’s, Charles and wife Nancy paid a visit to an aunt and uncle living on Lopez Island and subsequently bought property there. Upon retirement, Charles and Nancy built a home and became involved in the Lopez community. Charles was an active volunteer for the San Juan Preservation Trust, the Lopez Library, the Lopez Museum, and the local Hospice and Home Support. He also enjoyed reading, building models, and classical music. He became a regular of the long-standing Sunday morning cribbage game on Lopez. Even in his final days he looked forward to the next game with his friends.

Charles was a wonderful brother to his sister, Patti, a loving and caring father to his son, Jim (Patty), a delighted grandfather to his granddaughter, Katie, and is survived by them. He was absolutely devoted for life to his wife, Nancy. He will be sorely missed.

The family wishes to thank Nora McCloy, Terry Larson , and Michele Macky Orr for their friendship and assistance during Charles’ illness.