Charles Harrild

In the early morning of November 7, 2014, God whispered in Charles’ ear, “Come home, my son.” Charles Benjamin Harrild was born on January 17, 1992, in Seattle, Washington to Julie Harrild. He died peacefully at the Cottage in the Meadow in Yakima, Washington, with his grandmother, Kathryn, at his side. He was much loved by many people: grandparents, great aunts, aunts, uncles, cousins, caregivers, teachers and friends, young and old. He endured many years of disability from the effects of Huntington’s Disease, which also took his mother’s life. He will be remembered for his fanatical love of the Boston Red Sox. A major highlight of his life was the trip to Boston to watch the Red Sox play at Fenway Park granted by a wish from Children’s Wishes and Dreams of Yakima. The early years of Charles’ life were in Leavenworth at his grandparent’s inn, Haus Rohrbach. He enjoyed playing baseball, swimming in the pool, soaking in the hot tub, sledding in the winter and racing his bike at breakneck speed down the steep hill on his way to Osborne Elementary. He spent many hours in the office with his favorite principal, Howard Cook. When his grandparents retired in 2000 he moved with them to Yakima where he attended St. Paul’s, Nob Hill Elementary, and Toppenish Middle School. One of his proudest moments was walking down the aisle at his graduation from Davis High School in 2012. His family would like to thank those who touched his life with their kindness and care: staff at Children’s Village and Behavioral Health especially Dr. Petzinger, Virginia and Maggie; Dr. Thomas Bird at the UW, Seattle; personal caregiver Josh; the staff at Chandler House especially Lini, Lynette, Judy, Tom and Eva; and all the staff, doctors, nurses and caregivers at the Cottage in the Meadow in Yakima; and dear friends Mary, Hennie, Ray and Karen. Also a special thanks to Kathleen Thomas and Susan Caruso from Davis High School. He is survived by grandmother Kathryn Harrild, Yakima; aunt Therese, Seattle; uncles Paul (Angie) and Andrew; cousins Madisyn, Andrea, Abbigail and Taylor; great aunts Anita Topolinski (Ward) and Barbara Roos; and numerous cousins. Charles was preceded in death by his mother, Julie; grandfather, Robert; cousins Lisa and Kenny Higbee; great aunts Joan Beattie and Susan Warwood. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Charles Harrild’s name to Children’s Wishes and Dreams of Yakima, the Cottage in the Meadow, Yakima, or the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, University of Washington, Seattle. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM Saturday, November 15, 2014 at Holy Family Catholic Church, with a reception following. Private inurnment will be held at Calvary Cemetery at a later date. Valley Hills Funeral Home in Yakima is in care of the arrangements. Online tributes can be shared at www.valleyhillsfh.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Harrild, please visit our flower store.