The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

US Navy Veteran and former Sheriff of Chouteau County, Charles Russell Comp, 91, passed away on Thursday evening at his son's home in Havre of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and a graveside memorial service will be held this Spring at the Big Sandy Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his mother. Memorial contributions in Charles' honor may be made to the VFW. Please visit Charles' online memorial page atwww.hollandbonine.com to send a card or leave a message for the family.

Charles was born February 2, 1933, in Farmington, Michigan to Wilbur and Shirley (Durant) Comp. He graduated from High School in Farmington and enlisted in the United State Navy where he served his country for 5 years and 10 months during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1955.

He met Annette Therese Toth, and the couple married in Reno, Nevada on May 30, 1959. Together they made their home in California and worked for United Air Lines. They moved to Placerville, California where they raised their family and Charles worked in Law Enforcement. They moved the family to White Sulphur Springs, Montana in 1985 where Charles took a job with the county Sheriff's office. They moved to Big Sandy, Montana after Doug Williams recruited Charles to work for the Chouteau County Sheriff's office. He served as Mayor of Big Sandy for one term and then retired.

Being a "jack of all trades" Charles kept busy in his spare time, building and remodeling the homes they lived in, creating doll houses and furniture for his grandchildren and working on his motorcycles. He was an excellent craftsman who enjoyed completing his projects and gifting them to those he loved. He was an avid elk and bird hunter, reloaded shells and even built from the ground up a 1903 Patty Wagon which he still has today. He volunteered his time to the youth by teaching Hunter's Education for 35 years and was also a member of the Montana Hope Project, something he was very honored to be involved with. He enjoyed living in Big Sandy and kept busy after retirement. He would be found at the Deli having coffee with his friends catching up on the local happenings.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and three Brothers-in-law and their spouses, Bill (Mickey) Jim (Lois), George (Juanita) Toth.

Charles is survived by his wife of 65 years Annette Comp. Son Christopher Comp, daughter Kirsten Shelor. Three grandchildren: Shirley Comp, Sara Comp and Zane Shelor, three great grandchildren: David, Carissa and Dillon, 2 great-great grandchildren, Ruben and Jane.