In the early morning of November 22, 2024, Charles Scofield passed away at Right Heart Assisted Living in Billings, MT. He was 99 years old, just three months shy of his 100th birthday.
Charles Leo Scofield, born in Miles City, MT on February 18, 1925, was the only child of Charles Lockard Scofield and Marie Higgins. They were homesteaders who operated a family ranch near Broadus, MT. Charles attended a one room country school near the ranch, followed by high school in Deer Lodge, MT graduating in 1942. His father “Charlie” and grandfather John were Montana legislators. His father served as speaker of the House and then as a state senator. As a youngster Charles worked as a page and “spent time around the Legislature in Helena.”
Growing up in a remote region of Montana, Charles developed a fascination with radio, touting the medium as “our only link to the outside world.” He enjoyed collecting and repairing radios in the 1930s. During WWII he contributed to the war effort by installing radios on Navy ships in Bremerton, Washington. In the late 1940s he gained expertise in the many disciplines of broadcasting including engineering, programming, managing, and announcing. In 1950 he and his business partner Jim Carson purchased KWBM, a bankrupt AM station in Williston, ND. They operated on a shoestring until 1951 when business improved after discovery of oil in the Williston region. In 1954 Charles purchased Carson’s half of the business and changed the call letters to KEYZ. Over the years, he acquired and/or built three additional radio stations (KYYZ, KTHC, KLPZ) and a cable TV company (Community Service Television). The radio stations together formed “Scofield Broadcasting.”
Charles became a well-known business leader. He served the people of North Dakota for three terms in the House of Representatives from 1973 to 1980. He was president of the North Dakota Broadcasters Association, the Williston Chamber of Commerce, and the Williston Kiwanis Club. He was on the board of directors for the Montana Dakota Utilities (MDU) Company, and North Dakota AAA. He served as a director on the board for two independent Williston banks: American State Bank and First National Bank. He was active in numerous community organizations including Shriners and Williston Rotary Club.
Charles was famous for his quick wit, wry smile, dry humor, twinkling eyes, and bountiful intelligence. He was a self-taught teacher’s teacher who loved to read, and had an uncanny ability to notice anything and everything around him. He was an enthusiastic ham radio operator (W0HCO then W7HCO) with a distinct and resonant radio voice. As a private pilot, he loved to fly his Beechcraft Bonanza traveling the breadth of the USA (he owned four airplanes over his lifetime). He was a cautious but adventurous pilot: often landing at a self-built airstrip in his dad’s cow pasture and he skillfully flew from one end of the Grand Canyon to the other at rim level. Summer’s free time was often spent with family captaining a boat named “Porcy-pine” and operating his ham radio from the boat often in communication with ham buddies around the globe. Upon retirement he traveled the world extensively, with a special fondness for the Mediterranean.
Charles is preceded in death by his first wife: Lorraine Ann Bergerson, his second wife: Regina (Gina) Mary Monson, and step-son: KT Monson. He is survived by two children: Corinne Scofield Davies (Steve) of Tucson, AZ and John Charles Scofield (Janet) of Auburn, Alabama; one step-son Kevin Monson (Amber) of Plentywood, MT; three grandchildren: Colin Davies (Caitlin) of Brisbane Australia, Gavin Davies (Ainsley) of Auckland New Zealand, Brittany Peck (Jon) of Baltimore, MD; step-children Tera Bell, Katie Justice, and Tiffany Novak; four great-grandchildren: Maia Davies, Charles Davies, Arthur Peck, and Lenora Peck; and great-(step)grandchildren: Penelope Park and Jonas Justice.
The family gives heartfelt thanks to Rowena Arnott and staff at the Right Heart Assisted Living facility in Billings. Deep appreciation goes to longtime caregivers Tessa Deckert and Leita Rides Horse.
The family requests that memorials be sent to the Salvation Army. Condolences and personal comments can be posted at https://stevensonfuneralhomes.com
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
1:00 PM
Tuesday November 26, 2024
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
1:00 PM
Tuesday November 26, 2024
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Gary Bartholomew says
A great man for 99 years, you will be missed.
Robert bergerson says
W7hco w7 hco de n7 bla n7bla your key is silent your call no longer heard from the first days i can remember when dad drug all us kids up to williston i fell in love with all that huge radio equipment in your basement you were my inspiration to get my license pursuing the field of electronics and radio from the days at fortpeck in matching cabin cruisers to otger family memories your signal will always be 599 hear with me may the powers of the universe be your radio may the wings of angles be your antenna may u be reunited with auntie to my cousins i havent seen in a hundred years it feels like i send my love and light to you our family keeps shrinking bit by bit bob bergerson n7bla 73s i am qrt
Martie Moore says
Dear Uncle Chuck, I will miss the twinkle in your eye and then some quick witted statement immediately afterwards. We always had a good time, laughing and joking together. Even when we were shopping at K-Mart for your new jeans. You made me wait until the blue light special – so you could get your jeans even more on sale.
I love you, Uncle Chuck. You will be missed!!
Marlene Johnson says
Chuck did a lot for Williston. We are proud of his legacy here. Marlene (Guttromson) Johnson