Chuck “Charles” Ashley

​Rev. Charles “Chuck” Ashley passed away March 27, 2017, in Riverside, California. He was born June 12, 1929, in Charleston, West Virginia, the son of Jordan and Macel Ashley. The Ashleys remained in Charleston until 1942; they moved briefly to Clearwater, Florida, and then settled in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1943. Chuck graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1947 and then returned to West Virginia, working for Western Electric and Sears.

On February 4, 1951, Charles entered the U.S. Air Force. He served in the Korean Conflict as a “mosquito,” a forward air controller, directing Air Force, Marines, and Navy pilots. It was during this season of service that Chuck sensed the call of God to the ministry. Upon returning to the states he was stationed at Nellis Air Base in Las Vegas. It was there that he reconnected with West Virginia Sunday School friend, Ruth.

Charles and Ruth were married in April of 1954. In the fall of 1955 Chuck enrolled at Pasadena college where he took course work to prepare for the ministry while minoring in education. He taught school while serving a home mission church in Mission Valley, San Diego. 1959 saw the arrival of son, Alan; in 1962 they welcomed another son, Jeffrey. Then, in May 1963, Chuck accepted the call to pastor Escondido Church of the Nazarene.

Chuck issued the pastoral role, becoming 26th pastor of a 52 year-old church. At his first meeting with the board they voted to relocate the church. Property was purchased in 1968, plans were developed, and the old church finally sold in 1978; the present campus was built and occupied in 1980. After 20 years of service in Escondido, Chuck began another season of service to the members of the Nazarene Credit Union.

Beginning in 1983, Chuck became the pubic relations face of the credit union. In 1988, he was appointed Vice President, a testament to his warm relationships with both the church constituency he served and his colleagues. After 15 years of service, he retired in 1998 and he and Ruth moved to Murrieta, California, where he continued his life of service by volunteering in various capacities. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth; and his sister, Ruth. Chuck is survived by his sons, Alan and Jeff; and his brothers, Wilson and Lewis.