Charles Henry “Porky” Owrey was born 1 Oct 1922 in Lumberport, Harrison County, WV and died on 23 June 1994. He was the son of William and Nettie Hursey, one of 13 children.

He graduated from high school in 1940 and worked briefly as a driver.  He enlisted in the CCC on March 20, 1941 then reported for service on April 5, 1941. He was sent to Camp Rhododendron located in Cooper’s Rock State Forest and was assigned to the surveying crew on April 15^th.

He was transferred to Camp SCS-42 in Marion, Ohio on July 12 1941 to attend clerical school. He returned to Camp Rhododendron on September 6, 1941 with excellent marks.  His term of service was finished on September 30^th and he re-enrolled on October 5^th and was promoted to assistant educational advisor.

He was discharged on January 21, 1941 to accept employment in Pittsburgh with a mining company.

Charles enlisted in the Army Dec 28^th 1942 and was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri and then saw service as a clerk in the Army and was assigned to England where he married his wife Mona.  He also saw service in France, Belgium and Germany as was noted in the publication “WWII Young American Patriots.”  Charles and Mona had 4 children.  Their first child was born in England.

After the war he returned to the mining industry and was assigned to a surface mine near Welch, WV with the dangerous job of blaster. He was a member of the UMW and American Legion and retired from Consolidated Coal in Bluefield.