It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved McKenzi “Kenzi” Charlton. Kenzi was born on April 22, 1990, son of Todd and Donna and brother to Brittany.
Kenzi grew up in Montesano and after graduating from Montesano High School, he went on to attend Grays Harbor College. In addition to attending classes, he also worked for the college admissions office providing support to other students. He made such an impression on his peers and college staff that he was asked to be “The Face of Grays Harbor College” which featured his picture on promotional flyers and posters all over town. He couldn’t have been prouder. We couldn’t have been prouder too. He had such a beautiful face.
While Kenzi was attending school and working other jobs, he also made time to help care for his cousin and best buddy Bowe, who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. He eventually began providing full-time care to him, which he did for several years. If Kenzi was here, he would say that this period with Bowe was one of the most significant times in his life. Caring for his cousin taught Kenzi humility, patience and gratitude. He grew emotionally and spiritually and became much more mature during this time. He took great pride in caring for his cousin. His relationship with his cousin deepened during this time and he and Bowe were like brothers.
Kenzi also worked for his father at Willis Inc. before getting hired at Providence St. Peter Hospital where he worked as a Health Unit Coordinator for the PCU and IMCU. He eventually moved to Olympia where he resided with his cats (his babies), Ripley and Raven.
Kenzi was an Earth Day baby. He loved the simple pleasures. Just being outside brought him joy. You could find him tending to his bird feeders (he loved birds) or playing with his cats. He would take his cats for regular walks — he was quite the cat man. He loved hiking, camping, swimming and rafting. He also enjoyed food — baking, cooking, eating and any new recipe. He loved when people cooked special dishes for him.
Kenzi loved his family and any family time “it’s everything” he always said. He loved how his family always felt very close whether it was spending vacations, holidays or a weekend barbecue to bring them together. Our annual white water rafting trip to the Rogue River, which we did for 20+ years, was his favorite. We camped at a beautiful wildlife park where he would enjoy nature, wildlife, his family, and would often befriend total strangers in surrounding camps.
He was raised with all his cousins and developed close relationships with them along with all his aunts, who he loved dearly. They spent summers swimming in the pool or playing in the creek behind the house and overnight stays.
Kenzi had a special relationship with his sister Britt and his nephew Jax. Kenzi and Britt were always there for each other, in good times and bad. Kenzi was there with his sister when Jax was born. He was so excited to be an uncle and so proud to be a part of that moment. He and Jax had a special relationship made stronger by an event that happened when Jax was only a year old. While the family was white water rafting, the raft suddenly tipped over. Everyone in the raft was tossed out. When Kenzi popped up out of the water, he saw Jax bouncing way down the Rogue River in his little life vest. Kenzi immediately started swimming down the river toward Jax and was finally able to pull him onto shore. This truly awful experience was to connect them in a remarkable way forever.
Kenzi was known for so many things. He had an amazing wit, a dry sense of humor, a contagious laugh, a wonderful personality and the most beautiful smile. He had an enormous heart and was able to truly listen to others and always found a way to make any one person feel like they were the most important person in that moment. He would share in others’ happiness and sorrow and always offered his love and friendship. He was the best of us.
His passing has left complete and utter sorrow for all of us. Our hearts are broken. We all need time to grieve and heal but for some of us, there will never be enough time.
Kenzi is survived by his mother and father Donna and Todd Charlton; his sister and brother-in-law Brittany and Brian Thompson and his nephew Jax Thompson; his granny and papa Lawrence and Billie Bestul; his aunts and uncles: Jackie and Jeff Bowers, Billie and Greg Ness, Tonnie Vessey, and Julie and Daniel Hjelmeseth; cousins Bowe and Jett Bowers, Jamie and Kasey Gano, Carley and Carter Ness, Crista May and Abby and Jagger Hjelmeseth; and his cats Ripley and Raven. Kenzi was preceded in death by his grandparents Mike and Judy McKeag and his aunt Valerie Ernst.
