Obituaries : * Charles Harrell Major; Engineering Contractor

Charles Harrell Major, an Ojai engineering contractor who built bridges across the Ventura River and the Arroyo Simi, has died. He was 73.

The cause was diabetes, said his son, Rusty Major.

At its peak in the 1960s, the Major Co. employed 150 people building bridges and flood channels across Ventura County, Rusty Major said.

In addition to engineering, Major enjoyed trout fishing and spending time with his family, said his son. Sometimes, he combined all three activities on vacations to other parts of California, where Major took his family and worked building campgrounds.

Born in San Luis Obispo, he moved to Ojai in 1934 and considered himself one of the Ojai Valley’s pioneers, his son said.

He leaves his wife, Anne, daughter Winnie and son Rusty, all of Ojai. He is also survived by daughters Monica Pyle of Glendora and Sara Major of Ashland, Ore., and sons Bob Major of Placerville, Jeff Major of Ventura and John Major of Oak View. He also leaves brother Alfred Major of Redding, sister Betty Baggett of Ojai and 10 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.