Thomas (Tom) Edward Charter • 08/02/1957 – 06/02/2025

Thomas (Tom) Edward Charter, 67, passed away peacefully at his home in Maxwell, CA on June 2, 2025. He was a beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, brother, uncle, business partner, community member and
loyal friend.
Tom was born August 2, 1957 to Richard and Eileen Charter, the youngest boy of six children. He was raised in Arbuckle, CA and attended Pierce High School where he was heavily influenced by Coach LeMaster. In his 1975 yearbook, he wrote that he wanted to “farm the entire Sacramento Valley” and went straight to work after graduation, partnering with his brother Perry to establish T&P Farms in 1976, a name decided by a coin toss at Hangman’s tree in Arbuckle. They began with one 235 acre field of dryland barley west of Williams and over 49 years built the largest farm in the Northern Sacramento Valley. T&P was at the center of his life’s work, but it was far from his only accomplishment. He was also one of the founding members of Myers & Charter Rice Drying in 1982, followed by California Family Foods rice mill in 1995.
Tom played a major role in his community as a baseball coach and a Board Member of the Maxwell School District and Colusa County Water District. He was a major supporter of athletic programs countywide. However, Tom’s greatest gift was his gift of giving. From the creation of the Maxwell Little League baseball field and the renovation of the Maxwell Town Pool, to the support of the Colusa County Fair Junior Livestock Auction, supporting family, friends, and coworkers through countless personal hardships, Tom was a problem solver whose generosity touched many lives.
Tom was a die-hard fan of the Oakland A’s and Raiders and his family was a tremendous source of pride. He loved hunting and being in the mountains, spending time at the White Oak Ranch. He started most days with a morning ritual of dice over coffee with his friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Eileen, brother Jim, sister Liz, son Jed, and granddaughter Erin.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Patricia Charter, his children Brad, Tom Jr. (Krystin), Sarah (Sam), Jeff (Sara), Wyatt, Crystal (Jed’s life partner) and a combined total of 16 grandchildren, brothers Daniel & Perry, sister Laura, ex-wife Candice, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.
The Rosary will be held at St. Bernadette’s Hall, Our Lady of Lourdes, Colusa Ca, Sunday, June 15th, 4pm to 7pm.
The Funeral will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Arbuckle on Monday, June 16 at 10am. A reception will follow immediately at St. Bernadette’s Hall, Our Lady of Lourdes, Colusa, Ca.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to your local Little League, football programs, FFA, 4-H, and fire departments. Lastly, Tom would say, if there is an opportunity to help a young farmer get a start, please do.