On September 7th this world became so much quieter with the unexpected passing of Charles “Chuck” Loran age 49, a man who was deeply loved & whose absence will be felt beyond the depth words can describe.

Chuck was born January 17, 1977 to Joseph and Andrea Loran in Billings MT.

Chuck graduated from Highschool in Conrad MT in 1996. He continued his education at the U of M in Missoula MT and graduated with an Associate Degree in diesel mechanics. He worked in this field briefly until he went to work for BNSF and became a “Top Gun” Engineer.

Charles was married on July 27, 2002 to Brandylee Spaulding in Missoula MT. Their love story began in Nashville TN and brought them back to Montana. They most recently made a home in Glasgow MT.

Chuck was not just a husband, father, friend and Railroad Brother. He was one of a kind. He was full of life, the kind of person whose presence simply became part of the fabric of the lives around him. He loved deeply, worked too hard, & laughed the way only he could. He built a life full of ordinary moments that, to the people who love him, now feel anything but ordinary.

For more than 25 Years, Chuck shared a life with his wife, Brandylee. Together they built a marriage, raised their boys, weathered many storms, and created a lifetime of memories neither of them could have ever imagined would have to be counted quite this soon.

Chuck was a strong and devoted father who understood that loving his children meant more than protecting them, it meant preparing them for the world. He raised his boys to be capable, independent, good men who could stand on their own two feet. He taught them to lead by example: how to work hard, how to show up, how to take care of the people they love, and how to find their way when life doesn’t go according to plan. He built them to be ready for the world, with or without him, never imagining they would have to put those lessons to use quite this soon. His strength, humor, values, and love will continue in the men he raised.

Chuck was also a loving brother and brother-in-law, and those relationships were deeply special to him. He valued the bonds he shared with his siblings and their spouses, treating them not only as family, but as trusted friends and an important part of his life. He showed his love through his presence and loyalty, through his humor and his willingness to be there through both ordinary moments and difficult ones. These relationships brought him great joy, and the memories they shared with him will remain a lasting part of his legacy.

For Chuck, making room for people often meant more than offering friendship, it meant offering a home. Over the years, he provided a place to live for many people, friends and family alike. His home was a refuge for those who needed one, and anyone Chuck loved knew they had a home with him. He opened his doors generously and without judgement, making people feel welcome, safe and cared for. Providing a home was one of the many ways he showed people that they mattered to him.

Chuck also had a remarkable way of making people feel like they were his person. Ask his friends who Chuck’s best friend was, and you might get a whole lot of different answers – because each of them believed it was them. That was simply how he loved people. His friendships weren’t casual or disposable; when Chuck loved you, he kept you. He showed up, stayed connected, and made room in his life for the people who mattered to him.

Family was no different. Chuck wasn’t just related to his cousins; he was their friend, and he maintained those relationships throughout his life. He deeply loved and respected his parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles, looking up to them from the time he was young and continuing those relationships as an adult. Chuck understood something that is easy to forget: relationships require tending. He called, visited, showed up, laughed, told stories, and kept everyone connected. The enormous circle or people grieving him now is perhaps the clearest evidence of just how well he loved while he was here.

Chuck loved the outdoors and all activities you could enjoy under the sun. He made a day on the water, in the mountains, through the snow or over the road magical. He planned ahead and knew where the best places to stop would be. He loved to see it all and do it all. He liked to get there fast. From the time he was just a child everything he owned had to go faster: toy cars, bikes, motorcycles, cars, boats, four wheelers and snow mobiles.

Charles was preceded in death by his grandparents Sebastian and Elizabeth Loran, Earl and Wilma Woodhouse. Uncles and Aunts, Bob Loran and wife Helen, Jim Loran, John Loran, Pat Loran, Kathleen McCarvel and husband Phil, Alan Woodhouse, Ronda Wade (Woodhouse), Rex Robert Woodhouse. Cousins, Cristin Luzar (Cole), Callie Woodhouse, Richard Denney.

Charles is survived in death by his wife Brandylee Loran and children Jayden and William Loran, parents Joseph Loran and Andrea Loran, sister Jodianne Buxton and brother in law Rob, sisters in law, Autumn Spaulding and Courtney Young, Uncles and Aunts, Chicko Loran, Tricia Loran, Liz Loran, Ruth (Woodhouse) and Randy Denney. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins and best friends he loved very much.

Celebration of Life will be held on September 26, 2026 at Church Of The Gates in Missoula MT at 3821 Stephens Ave S. at 3pm with reception to follow until 5pm.

Family and friends are also invited to attend the following services on September 25, 2026: Rosary 10:15am, Mass of Christian Burial 11:00am, reception to follow. Both at St. Anthony’s Parish, 217 Tremont Street, Missoula MT. At approximately 1:30pm, Rite of Committal at New St. Mary Cemetery in Missoula Mt.