Charles C. Allen (September 05, 1959 - August 21, 2019)

In loving memory of
Charles C. Allen
  • September 05, 1959
  • -
  • August 21, 2019

  • Obituary
  • Sign Tribute Wall
  • Send an E-Card
  • Light a Candle
  • Send Flowers
  • Photos

Obituary

Remembering Charles C. Allen

Went Home to Meet the Lord 8/21/2019;
Celebration of Life service 8/24/2019 Reverend Dennis Lewis

Welcome

Friends, we have gathered here to praise God and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of Charles “Chuck” Clayton Allen. We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. We also come together in faith acknowledging the hope of everlasting life. May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, and in death resurrection.

Eulogy

Charles Clayton Allen was born on September 5, 1959 in North Warren, Pennsylvania to Jack and Elizabeth Allen. He entered life eternal on August 21, 2019 here in Fort Myers. Chuck would have been 60 years old next month. He is survived by his wife, Ginger; sister Linda Ropelewski and her husband Ray; brother, Doug and brother Rick and his wife Janis; and nieces, Jackie, Mattie, Kelly, & Elizabeth, Becky (husband Mike), Chelsea (husband Wade), Alexa; nephews, John, Gregg, Gary, Derrick, and Steve (wife Nicole), Jason (wife Brooke); and grand-nephews, Calvin (born 3 weeks ago), Wyatt and Weston, Vaughn, and grand-nieces, Lily and Tenley.

Chuck’s family told me of a man who was very smart and very athletic. He played football in college. And, he loved to fish. He had a gift, I’m told, of making people feel important. His family and Bass Pro co-workers said that he would shake hands with you like you were the president and they were going to try to keep his hand shake tradition. He was always careful to ask about his nieces and nephews, and he enjoyed taking them fishing. In church terms, we would say that he had the spiritual gift of hospitality. In other words, he had the ability to make folks feel welcomed, respected, important, and loved. And, he loved to fish.

But, like all of us, he had his rough times in life, he battled alcoholism as a young man. And, by the grace of God, he was sober for the last 27 years of his life. I share that with you, because that is something that should be celebrated.

The family said repeatedly that Chuck had a very special relationship with his mother. It was said that he accomplished his dreams in life because his mother was always there to encourage him. They also said that Ginger, his wife of 27 years. In fact, it was said that Chuck himself called her a “God-sent-angel.” He often referred to her as his “dahling” like they used to say in the old movies. It is said that a captain at Tarpon Lodge once told Chuck to take care of his “Lobster.” He was basically telling him to take care of his “prized catch,” his wife Ginger. She was definitely the right person for him because she enjoyed fishing as well. They fished together which reminds us of the old saying that the couple that fishes together stays together. He often attempted to let her catch the first fish. And sometimes, she would return the favor and allow him to make the first cast because he loved to fish so much. That’s what a good relationship does, right? Give and take. Lifting each other up.

His spiritual gift of hospitality and his welcoming smile, and the joy he had in talking with others all came in handy as he and Ginger owned a restaurant up in Pennsylvania. If I remember right, they kept the restaurant going strong for almost 10 years. That’s pretty amazing! The success rate for restaurants is very low. Most don’t last longer than three years. But, when you have the ability to engage folks like Chuck did, and when you share the love that he did with Ginger, people notice. Also, good food helps. And, apparently, they had that as well.

Did I mention that he liked to fish? He was described as a master fly fisherman and custom lure maker. After retiring from the restaurant business Ginger told him to go to work at Bass Pro Shop where he could work helping others who had the same passion.

Chuck grew up in the Presbyterian Church, went to Sunday school and was a choir boy. He once told Ginger that he enjoyed worshipping God when he was outdoors fishing. It’s certainly a good thing to worship God while out enjoying the beauty and wonder of creation. He kept a small card in his wallet that had a small wooden cross laminated on it. It had a poem on it entitled, “The Cross in My Pocket.” And, it reads, “When I put my hand in my wallet to bring out a coin or a key, the cross is there to remind me of the price Christ paid for me.”

Ginger’s big sister, Diane, said that the following portion of Scripture reminded her of Ginger and Chuck’s life together. It’s commonly called the Beatitudes with a meaningful version in the Bible The Message, Matthew 5:3-8.

Chuck was, and is, deeply loved by his family and friends, and from what I’ve heard about him, he loved you all as well. His life of giving didn’t stop when he passed away. He donated his organs and gave life to others in need. They had 2 special services at Health Park Medical Center that recognized this gift, they held an honor walk with 100 nurses participating and they flew a Life Donor flag over Health Park for three days in his honor.

The wedding song that Chuck and Ginger chose was, “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” as performed by Rod Stewart. I have always loved the song. But, I did a little research and discovered that it was originally drafted as a prayer, let’s think of it that way.

As Christ followers, we believe that death doesn’t have the last word. We know that’s true because of one of the greatest and most well-known Scriptures in the world, Psalm 23. The Lord Gives Us Eternal Life – v. 6. We will live with God forever. That’s the comfort that we have as Christ followers. Please know today that Jesus loves Chuck. And, that Jesus loves you.

Prayer

God of us all, your love never ends. When all else fails, you still are God.  We pray to you for one another in our need, and for all, anywhere, who mourn with us this day. To those who doubt, give light; to those who are weak, strength; to all who have sinned, mercy; to all who sorrow, your peace. Keep true in us the love with which we hold one another. In all our ways we trust you. And to you, with your Church on earth and in heaven, we offer honor and glory, now and forever. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ…Let’s always remember The Lord’s Prayer.

Committal Prayer

Almighty God, into your hands we commend your son Chuck, in sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lord, you have shared with us the life of Chuck. Before he was ours, he is yours. For all that Chuck has given us to make us what we are, for that of him which lives and grows in each of us, and for his life that in your love will never end, we give you thanks. As now we offer Chuck back into your arms, comfort us in our loneliness, strengthen us in our weakness, and give us courage to face the future unafraid. Draw those of us who remain in this life closer to one another, make us faithful to serve one another, and give us to know that peace and joy which is eternal life; we ask these things in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.

Affordable Cremations by Bladdwin Brothers is honored to serve the Allen family during this difficut time.


Send flowers to the family to show you care. Order Now

Tribute Wall

Leave a reply



Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Be the first to sign the Tribute Wall.

Send an E-Card

Please select an e-card

    Required fields are marked *
     

    Note: The code below resets with every submit of the form
    captcha