Charles Everett

Pullen

Charles Everett Pullen, 85, passed away on Monday, November 9th surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 30,1941, the oldest of two sons born to Edward and Dorothy (Hutchinson) Pullen. He attended schools in Oakland and graduated from Williams High School with the Class of 1959. One week after graduation, Charlie joined the US Army and served in Korea with the 7th Infantry Division supporting the United Nations Peace Keeping Force at the DMZ. On his return to the States, he was sent to Fort Hood Texas and was assigned to the Second Armored Division as a Tank Mechanic.

After his discharge, he returned to Oakland to work for his Uncle Horace at the Greeley and Getchell Ford Dealership later known as Pullen Ford. At the same time, he joined the Oakland Fire Department. He worked his way up through the ranks and was promoted to Chief of the department in 1982. From 1982 until 1992 he worked both jobs as the Fire Chief and at Pullen Ford. In 1992 the town voted to make the Fire Chief’s job a full-time position. So, Charlie left the Ford Garage, following his heart, and became Oakland’s first full-time Fire Chief serving in that position until 2017. During his tenure as Chief, he was instrumental in having a smaller sub-station constructed on Oak Street so there would be some firefighting equipment on the other side of the railroad tracks, as it was common to have trains block both crossings for several minutes. He was also one of the organizers of the first automatic mutual aid systems between the towns of Belgrade, Oakland, Sidney, Smithfield, and Rome.

Charlie married the love of his life, Donna Lund, in 1970 and together they raised six children. He is survived by his loving wife Donna; daughter Susan and son-in-law Flint; son Charles (Chuck) and daughter-in-law Tammy; 14 grandchildren; several great grandchildren and his fur baby Rosie too.

He was predeceased by both parents; brother Allen Pullen; daughter Prudi Merrill; daughter Robin Miller; daughter Karen Pullen; son Christopher Pullen; grandson Alex Charles Miller; and grandson Kodi Merrill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the:

Oakland Fire Fighters Association:

C/O Chief David Coughlin

PO Box 187

Oakland, ME 04963

Goodbye – I love you all – Please take good care of Grandma for me

Signed – Husband, Dad, Gramp and Papa

The family welcomes you to join us to celebrate Charlie at the United Methodist Church in Oakland on Saturday, November 14th at 12:00 PM followed by refreshments in the vestry. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Lakeview Cemetery in Oakland.