Charles (Chuck) A. Wilkes, Jr., 72, was born on November 12, 1951 in Nampa, ID to Charles A. Wilkes, Sr., and Lois Shirley Beech Wilkes. His family moved around the Northwest during his childhood years because his father was a pastor. He graduated from Lewiston High School in Idaho in 1969. Chuck attended Northwest Nazarene College (University, class of 1973). He was an active member of many student groups and served as Student Body President his senior year. He ran for Idaho State Representative during college and was the head of the Idaho Student Government Association for a year. Chuck married Mitzi (Mittelstaedt) in 1973, and after serving as a correctional officer at the Idaho State Penitentiary in Boise, they moved to Denver where he attended the University of Denver Law School, starting in 1975. Chuck and Mitzi lived in Denver, CO for 26 years. They were active members of Denver First Church of the Nazarene. Chuck served on the church board, taught Sunday School classes, and co-led the Marriage Enrichment ministry with Mitzi. He was active with local, district and general church activities. He also worked for the Colorado Medical Society. In addition to practicing law, he was called and appointed to pastor in 1994. He and Mitzi planted the Highlands Ranch Community Fellowship Nazarene church in Highlands Ranch, CO in 1996, and Chuck was ordained in 1998. He was called to pastor the Leavenworth Church of the Nazarene in WA in 2001, then became Teaching Pastor at Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene in WA in 2004. He pastored Hayden True North Church of the Nazarene in Hayden, ID starting in 2010 and then retired to Southern California in 2018 to be close to his children and grandchildren. He passed away peacefully from esophageal cancer on December 22, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mitzi Wilkes, his two daughters Kenzi (William) Judge and Jadyn (Ryan) Evans, and three grandchildren: Landon Evans, Jozi Judge, and Cody Evans. He’s also survived by his mother (Lois) and siblings: Mike (Sara), Cami, and Brenda. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Sr., and grandson, Blake Evans. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation in Chuck Wilkes’ memory to Northwest Nazarene University for the Truman & Artie Wilkes Education Scholarship and/or the Truman & Artie Wilkes Ministerial Scholarship. Checks made payable to Northwest Nazarene University can be mailed to NNU Office of University Advancement, 623 S University Blvd, Nampa, ID 83686, or gifts can be made via the website at www.nnu.edu/give.