Charles Asa Gaston passed away suddenly on June 1, 2023, at the age of 74.

Asa spent his early years in Mobile until his father was transferred to New Orleans, where Asa began elementary school before moving back home. He attended Mary Montgomery High School where he learned to play the drums, joined the marching band and played in his first high school band, The Rogues. He then graduated from the University of Alabama and got his master's degree in Social Work. During that time, he played with The Rubber Band along with Tommy Stuart and then later played with Johnny Shines in a memorable show in DC at the 1970 Smithsonian Fest, which was one of the highlights of his early years. Around this same time, Asa married his first wife, Robin, and their son, Bart, was born.

In 1974, Asa and fellow musicians, Kent Peterson, Bill Marshall and Dwight Williams formed The Locust Fork Band. The band evolved with various talented musicians over the years, including, but not limited to, Nida Threet, Tonya Lindsey, Dave Miller, Rick Byrd, Brian Wheeler, Scott Boyer, Chuck Schwartz, Phillip Stratton, along with so many more, always with Papa Bear (aka Asa) in charge. Asa played the drums like he did everything else - with precision. 

Asa went to work for Compass Bank in 1985 and transferred to the Birmingham Office in 1989. He worked on the trading desk there until his retirement in 2014.

The weekend that he moved to Birmingham, he was introduced to Jenny Lynn (Dunbar McWilliams) by a mutual friend Rick Byrd. After dating off and on for five years, they married in 1994 and would have celebrated their 29th anniversary in August. Asa treated his stepsons as his own and was a special grandfather to their children.

Asa loved to play golf and was a member of Hoover Country Club. As in every other aspect of his life, he was the leader and organizer of his golf group and was loved by all.

He found his way to peace through his AA community and sponsored and mentored countless others on that path. There are no words to describe the importance of the 26 years of that journey.

Asa was a mentor to many people and was involved in so many different aspects of life that some words used to describe him are "large and in charge," "bigger than life," "everybody's best friend," and "yeah, that's Asa."

Along with his wife, Jenny Lynn, son Bart (Sabrina), stepsons Dylan McWilliams and Jeremiah McWilliams (Holley) and the grandchildren who were so important to him: Hudson, Mary Austin and Joy, along with siblings, Gary (Sue), Matt (Barbara) and Becky Berry (Charles), as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was a leader in many ways and his loss will be felt by countless people, but they are left with enduring memories and had his friendship and guidance for so many years.

A memorial service will be held at Hoover Country Club on Wednesday, June 14, with visitation at 1 p.m. and service at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Royal Pines Recovery Center, 5 Guinns Cove Rd., Hayden, AL 35079, or a charity of your choice.


Professional services entrusted to W.E. Lusain Funeral Home and Crematory of Birmingham, Alabama.