More than 100 people gathered in the crisp fall coolness of sun-dappled Municipal Park in Boise this afternoon, to remember Chuck Oxley, the 46-year-old longtime Idaho journalist who died in a car accident last weekend. Chuck, who'd been a reporter for various newspapers and the Associated Press and also served for a time as spokesman for the Idaho Democratic Party, had returned to journalism and was working as editor of the Blackfoot paper when he died; his 10-year-old daughter, Susannah, survived the accident. Today, friends, relatives and co-workers recalled Chuck, whose bigger-than-life presence seemed to fill the picnic shelter as so many who knew him told their favorite Chuck stories, laughed together, and shed a few tears. In this photo, Chuck's brother, Chris, shared the final recollections.

Less than a week before he died, Chuck sent an email to "close friends, family and colleagues" about his newfound passion for learning to fly, and his determination to move on past tough times to new challenges in life. He concluded his note with a sentiment all at the park shared today: "Thank you for being my friend over the years. Fair winds to you, and to yours. Chuck."