Charles was called Pod by family and friends. He was born 6 in Tie Creek, Carter County, Montana to Joseph Gatewood and Vienna (Chittenden) Wash. He went through his freshman year in Carter County High School and was a member of the first football team there. He only went his freshman year and worked on various ranches. He liked horses and used them to work on the ranch.

He married Florabelle Harkins Edwards, October 18, 1935 in Belle Fourche, SD. Florabel was a widow with one daughter, Norella, four sons soon blessed their home. Pod owned the former Harkins place in the Chalk Buttes area, which he sold, then bought a place in the Sayle Community of Powder River County. There they raised their family and had many happy years among the sheep, horses and other animals they loved.

After getting broken up the second time by a horse, he decided to quit the ranch business. He started to barber for Joe Chiesa in Broadus, MT and when Joe passed away he took over the business. Where they spent the rest of their lives.