Charley Pettes Jr.

Life’s Journey

Charley Brown Pettes, Jr.

Charley Brown Pettes Jr. was born on March 11, 1937 to his loving parents Charley Brown Pettes Sr. and Leola Nelson Pettes, in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  He was the eldest of 11 children, six brothers, and four sisters. Harley Pettes, Ora Jackson, Alfred Pettes, Josephine Breazell, Eugene Pettes, Maron Andrew Pettes, James Pettes, Michael Pettes, Diana Pettes, and Debbie Pettes.

As a child Charley used to follow his dad around everywhere, asking questions and learning all he could.  He stuck so close to his dad that he earned moniker “Skeeta,” (Little Mosquito).  Family and close friends still call him that to this day.

Charley was a graduate of Las Cruces High School where he was a standout athlete in Football and Track & Field.  His performance on the field earned him the honor of playing football at New Mexico State University. While there, the team won the Sun Bowl Championship back-to-back in1959 & 1960.  After college he had the honor of Playing in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles who also won the Super Bowl in 1960.

While attending New Mexico State University, he met his wife Marjorie and to this union came three children, Marla, Anthony, and Jacquelyne. They set roots in Denver, CO where the family grew and flourished. He was a long-time member and Deacon of Union Missionary Baptist Church (45+ years).  Charley later joined King Baptist Church under the direction of Dr. T.E. Hendricks.

Charley served as a warehouse foreman at Van Waters & Rogers, Inc.  Eventually, he became a professional truck driver for the company. He retired from Van Waters & Rogers in 1997 after 34 years.

On June 28, 1997, Charley wed Ms. Ruth Hodge at Union Missionary Baptist Church. They enjoyed hitting the road and exploring new places. The most joyous times came when they were able to take the family in the motor home out of town. It was especially great when the grand and great-grandchildren got to accompany them on excursions.

His extraordinary athletic talents earned him the nickname, Mr. Athlete. As an avid sports enthusiast, Charley excelled at whatever sport he attempted. He picked up the sport of bowling and enjoyed league play for decades of his life. He was a member of the Denver Strikers/Strikettes Bowling Club, and played in many tournaments nationwide.  He passed the passion for bowling to all his descendants, and they all have taken it up in some capacity.

Charley was also an enthusiastic golfer.  It brought him great joy to hit the links with his closest friends, Brad Murphy, Rev. Don Batson Sr., and Wilbert Wilson.  If the weather was nice, they were certain to not let too many days pass without getting in some holes.  He was a member of Buffet Ball Strikers Golf Club and enjoyed traveling to different courses near and far to play.

Brother Charley Pettes was a faithful member of Centennial Lodge #4 F&AM (PHA)

Charley loved to watch and talk sports.  It didn’t take much at all to get him going on his thoughts on the matter. His favorite football team was the Philadelphia Eagles and he was on cloud 9 when they won the Super Bowl in 2017!

Family brought Charley immense joy and was what he cherished most.  He was a fervent supporter of their endeavors and could always be counted on to be there.  Birthdays, holidays, or just an ordinary dinner meant quality time would be spent talking and laughing with those that meant the most to him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charley and Leola Pettes; wife, Marjorie Pettes; great-granddaughter, Journee Abrams; siblings, Josie Breazell, Maron Andrew Pettes, James Pettes, Michael Pettes, and Debbie Pettes.

Charley joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 31, 2021. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Ruth Hodge-Pettes; his 2 daughters, Marla Dashiell and Jacquelyne Pettes; 4 grandchildren, Tiffany Dashiell, Marqui (Michael) Dashiell-Abrams, Jason (Alexis) Pettes, and Harrison Pettes; and 9 great-grandchildren; siblings, Harley (Rosa) Pettes, Ora Lee Jackson, Eugene Pettes, Alfred (Madeline) Pettes and Diane Pettes, several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.