Kenneth Matthew ChartersFebruary 25, 1944 - April 3, 2009Kenneth Matthew Charters was born on February 25, 1944, in Nampa Idaho to Fern Irene (Smith) Charters and Harry Matthew Charters Jr. Ken was raised in Melba Idaho on the Charters family ranch and farm. He was graduated from Melba  High School in 1962, where he excelled in sports including football, basketball and baseball earning eleven letters. He also participated in Future Farmers of America, and was honored with an appointment to the United States Coast Guard Academy, and was also nominated to West Point by Senator Frank Church of Idaho. Ken chose to attend the University of Idaho at Moscow where he was in the Reserve Officer Training Corps. On November 28, 1964, he married Louise Irby of Payette Idaho. They lived in Idaho until 1978, when they moved to Oregon. They had two sons, Scott Matthew Charters and Samuel Matthew Charters, both graduates of South Albany High School and Oregon State University. Ken worked for King's packing company, and Armour meat packing in Nampa Idaho for a combined ten years. Ken began work as a federal food inspector for the United States Department of Agriculture in 1973, where he spent his career in many food processing facilities in Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, California and Oregon. He eventually earned an AS in food science from Kansas State University, and received additional training in Iowa and Texas. Ken was always an active union member, and served as a president of his local and as secretary treasurer of the Western Council of Food Inspectors which included 14 states. In the 1990's, the State of Hawaii chose to begin Federal Food Inspection. Rather than form their own local union, the Inspectors in that State requested to be represented by Ken due to his reputation and service as president on the mainland. Ken traveled to many states, including Hawaii and Washington D.C. for his work. He received numerous commendations from the Department of Agriculture, and was forced to retire due to health problems in 2006.  Ken's interests were Fishing, bird and big game hunting, especially on the family property in Garden Valley Idaho where his great grandfather established a home and family. The Owyhee mountains were one of his favorite places to be. He also competed in rodeos as a bull rider and played American Legion, and semi-pro baseball for the Nampa Clippers. He was devoted to his family and coached soccer, indoor soccer and baseball through the Albany Boys and Girls club for his sons teams. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Odus and Maggie (Hill) Smith, his sister Teresa Hetzler. His Grandparents Gladys (Bolitho) Charters and Harry Charters, Sr, and by his father Harry Charters, Jr. He is survived by his mother Fern O'malley, brothers Tom and Dennis Charters, all of Nampa, Idaho. He is also survived by wife Louise, his sons Scott and wife Lisa of Vancouver, Washington, and Sam and Wife Candace of Albany. He loved and was delighted by his grandchildren Carmen and Connor, Jordan and Jake and was anticipating the birth of a new grandchild expected in late May. His local arrangements are being handled by Aasum-Dufour Funeral Home. A private service will be held for the family in Idaho. If you wish to express your condolences you may do so at http://kenneth-charters.memory-of.com.AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements ( www.aasum-dufour.com ).