Bramell Jr., Charles Dale
Resident of Pioneer Entered into rest August 16, 2008 at the age of 85. He was born in Oahu, Honolulu, at 10:10 a.m. on October 10th, 1922. In 1939 Charles left high school and joined the California Conservation Corp to help his single mother during the depression. During WWII Charles joined the Marine Corp and did his tour of duty in the South Pacific as a Staff Sergeant. In 1948, Charles became a firefighter for the Oakland Fire Department where he enjoyed his career for 32 years. A resident of Castro Valley for 44 years, he moved to Pioneer in 1994 where he spent the remainder of his life. He is survived by his children, Bob Robinson and wife Kathy of Puyallup, WA, Tom Bramell and wife Nancy of Livermore, Kathy Samuel and husband Phil of Pioneer, Chuck Bramell and wife Roberta of Elk Grove, Paul Bramell and wife Jordon of Pioneer, Pat Bramell and wife Kelly of Puyallup, WA. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grand children. He is preceded in death by his wife Alice Rodrigues Bramell and a daughter, Donna Bramell. A memorial service will be held Friday, August 22, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at Amador Hills Funeral Home 19805 Highway 88 in Pine Grove. Interment will follow at 25999 Highway 88 the Amador Hills Cemetery. A reception and celebration of Charles life will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Jackson Rancheria Hotel and Conference Center. Contributions in lieu of flowers to the Bramell Scholarship Memorial Fund for Amador High School students would be appreciated. Contributions can be mailed to Bank of Amador Buckhorn, PO Box 1400, Pioneer, 95666.
He was one of the many people who served as President of the Veteran Firemen's Association of Alameda County during my 20 years as Secretary/Treasurer of that organization. Since I retired and moved to the central Oregon coast several years ago, I lost track of Charlie and so many other former firefighters. I'm sorry to hear of his passing and only hope I can be as lucky to have such a long retirement.
Ronald D. Anderson (Seal Rock, OR)
Robert Rascoe
Chief Robert Rascoe passed away on August 27th in Kerrville Texas. Chief Rascoe was the Fire Chief of the VA Hospital for thirty plus years and retired from there in 1982. He was very proud of the fact that in the thirty years spent there at the VA Hospital he never had a structure fire. I used to kid him that it must have been a long boring thirty years! Just after his retirement Chief Rascoe became the Fire Chief of the Alameda County O.E.S. Volunteers under the leadership of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department, a position he held until the Volunteers consolidation into the Alameda County Fire Department, in 1995. Chief Rascoe was one of the founding fathers of the old Twin Valley Fire Chiefs Association. He was a former teacher in the Twin Valley Fire Academy and at Las Positas College. He was a firm believer in educating firefighters and their need for continued education. He always had a special place in his heart for Volunteers even before he became my chief.
Chief Rascoe was my best friend in the Fire Service. For some reason he took a liking to me and took me under his wing. Makes one question his judgment! Chief Rascoe will be reunited with his first wife and his son. His son was a BC on Catalina Island and passed away from a heart attack as he exited the ferry after serving a four day tour of duty. Funeral Services are being held in Kerrville Texas I have sent flowers from the Alameda County Fire Department and will fly down to represent the Department and most importantly to say good by to a great and cherished friend.
Sincerely,
Terrell L. Givens
