Charles R. Davis passed away on Monday December 5, 2011 in Bothell, WA. Chuck was born on June 11, 1940 in San Diego, CA. He resided in Woodinville, WA since 1970.

Chuck was preceded in death by his mother Alice and father Charles, and by his daughter Barbara Trent, who passed away in 2001. He is survived by his wife of 51 years Nancy, his son Paul, daughter in-law Donna, grandchildren Taylor and Alysha, and his sister Betty.

Chuck was an ordained Lutheran Minister and spent his career as a pastoral counselor. He was passionately dedicated to his clients and colleagues. He spent a great deal of his time helping people work through their grieving processes.

In 2004-2005 Chuck learned that he had lost the use of his diaphragms and was put on full-time oxygen therapy. In 2006 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Chuck never gave in to either medical issue and fought to his last breath. He spent the last two months of his life at the Bothell Medical Center where he received 24 hour care for his ever increasing illness. He was such a fighter that he was determined to come home and return to work because he felt the need to be available to his clients. In fact, the family was able to enjoy his company for Thanksgiving dinner at their home in Woodinville, WA. His strength and determination continued to grow.

Unfortunately, Chuck contracted a virus of which his damaged immune system could not fight. His weakened condition forced his body to end the fight. At approximately 4:30am on Monday December 5, 2011 Chuck’s fight was over.

Chuck is, and will always be, a loved man in his family, his community, his profession, and his Church. He was a man of God and a man of his family. His love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended family was passionate.

One of Chuck’s greatest joys was attending Seattle Sounders matches with his son. Together they were ever so passionate attending almost every home game as well as many road games. Their father-son bond was as strong as one could be.

Chuck will be greatly missed by his family, his peers, his colleagues, and the many people he served throughout his life. God be with you Chuck as your journey with your God continues.

A Celebration of Chuck’s life will be held on Saturday December 10, 2011 at First Lutheran Church Bothell at 2pm. A brief reception will follow. No flowers please.

Charles Ronald Davis was born on June 11, 1940, in San Diego, CA, to Charles W. and Alice Davis.  Chuck grew up in San Diego with his parents and older sister, Betty.  His father died when Chuck was 8 years old, and the children were raised by their mother.  Chuck found a spiritual home at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, San Diego, where he became active in its ministry and sang in the choir.  Already at age 16, Chuck felt God’s call to prepare for the ministry.  When he was singing a solo with the church choir, Luther College Choir director Weston Noble was present and encouraged Chuck to attend Luther in Decorah, IA.  At Luther Chuck sang in the choir and was a soloist. 

During his college years, Chuck met Nancy Johnson while visiting his roommate in Wisconsin.  There was an immediate connection, and Chuck and Nancy married on July 2, 1960.  With more of his college education to finish, they lived in the married student housing at the college.  Daughter Barbara was born in 1961 and son, Paul, was born in 1966.

After his college graduation in 1962, Chuck attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN and then transferred to Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA.  He served a year of internship at Clairmont Lutheran Church in San Diego.  Graduating  on May 22, 1966, from the seminary, Chuck was ordained at his home church, Our Savior’s, after accepting a call to Salem (Welcome) Lutheran Church near Brenham, TX.  Serving there until 1969, Chuck saw the need for more training in pastoral care and resigned to do clinical pastoral education in California and Emmanuel Hospital in Portland.  He was certified in 1970 and was called by the church to be the chaplain at the Monroe Reformatory in Monroe, WA.   Leaving his prison work, Chuck founded Pacific Northwest Yokefellows and became the Executive Director of an agency in Seattle and Lynnwood which provided care for individuals in times of transition.  In 1986 he launched Counseling Associates with an office in Lynnwood, later at Trinity Lutheran Church, and, eventually, at First Lutheran, Bothell. 

In 1987 Chuck received his Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Counseling from San Francisco Theological Seminary.  This was the culmination of five years of study. 

Chuck’s passion was doing 1 on 1 counseling to help those in need with their emotional and spiritual needs.  As a part of that passion, he began a “Men’s Gathering” and conducted many retreats for this group to work through issues common to men.  Later, recognizing the circumstances of boys who needed fatherly nurture, he founded the Boy’s Project. 

Chuck and Nancy moved to Woodinville where they raised their two children and have continued to live until the present time.  The Davis family became members of First Lutheran in November 1970, and they have remained active throughout these years.  Chuck continued to have a heart for the parish ministry, and he helped during pastoral vacancies at First Lutheran, as well as doing interim ministry in other congregations, such as Good Shepherd Lutheran in Snohomish.   He loved visiting the senior adults of the congregation and wrote a monthly column featuring many of their stories.  He often taught classes at First Lutheran and other area congregations. 

Outside his work, Chuck enjoyed being with Nancy, his children and two grandchildren.  He was honored to baptize both Taylor and Alysha.  He loved the Seattle Sounders and was energized by their games which he attended with son, Paul.  Chuck and Nancy enjoyed travel, time at their condo in Whistler and in the Southwest with his sister and husband, and returning often to his beloved San Diego.  Chuck was creative and did some painting and enjoyed creating leaflets for his work, as well as doing the writing for his many projects. 

On their 50th wedding anniversary in 2010 Chuck and Nancy were honored with a reception attended by many family and friends in October.  They celebrated their anniversary with a cruise to Hawaii. 

For the last 4½ years Chuck struggled valiantly against cancer.  He simply would not give up!   The family is grateful for the fine medical attention he received from Drs. Timothy Anderson, Michael Eulberg, Matthew Lonergan, and Ernest Norehad.  Chuck died peacefully on Monday morning, December 5th, at the age of 71. 

Chuck is survived by his family –

·         wife of 51 years, Nancy,

·         son, Paul (Donna),

·         grandchildren, Taylor and Alysha,

·         sister, Betty (Pat) Mooney,

·         step-father, Robert Wielage,

·         nephew, Patrick (Dolly) Mooney,

·         niece, Charleen (Kenth) Forsman,

·         and other extended family.

He was preceded in death by

·         daughter, Barbara in June 2001

·         and his parents, Charles and Alice.

Thanks be to God for Chuck’s life among us!