Charles Edward Nalley Jr.

Charles Edward Nalley Jr. 84, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away peacefully into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on Sunday, May 19, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Charlie was born on September 2, 1939, in East St. Louis, Illinois to Charles Edward Nalley Sr. and Frances Anna Beatrice Sanders.  

Charlie is the oldest of four siblings. Patrica (Pat) Osthoff, Aaron Nalley, and Gayle Taylor. He was born into a military family and his family moved all over the world. This includes bases in Germany where his youngest sister was born. During high school, his father was stationed at Ft. Huachuca. He attended Tombstone High School in Arizona and graduated in 1958.

After high school, Charlie enlisted in the Army. Where he got to travel the world again, this included Italy and West Germany. He was stationed in Berlin when the wall went up. Dad’s military career comprised 8 years of active duty and 13 years with the National Guard. He retired in 2003 as an E-7. He always spoke fondly of his time in the military. 

He worked for various companies in his 40+ years as an Electronic Technician. He worked eight years as a Signalman for Union Pacific. His career concluded with 16 years as an Audio/Visual Repair Tech for School District 25. He retired from the School District in 2003.

From a young age, Dad had a love of firearms. It started with his dad signing the siblings up with the NRA Junior shooting team. Where everyone competed for 2^nd place behind his sister Pat. Some of his nieces and nephews gave him the nickname Two Gun Charlie. Many fun times have been had at the gun range with Charlie. In 1974 Charles joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1975 he met Regina Ray. After a lengthy courtship of 7 days, Charlie proposed to her. 

Charlie was sealed to his eternal sweetheart, Regina Ray on January 10, 1976, in the Oakland California Temple.  They spent 23 wonderful years together until Gina passed away on February 25, 1999. 

After Gina’s passing, Charlie was again blessed to find a loving companion when he married Helen Norene Harmon Hawkins on March 2, 2002, in Chubbuck, Idaho.  At that time, he also gained 5 additional children and their families who all love him dearly.

Charlie was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He loved his Heavenly Father dearly and had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He served faithfully in his callings through the years some of which include Young Men’s President and Executive Secretary to the Bishop. He especially enjoyed the time he served as an Ordinance Worker in the Idaho Falls Temple.

He is survived by his son, Matthew (Lucy) Nalley, Pocatello, ID., daughter, Tamara (Rydel) Nielsen, Phoenix, AZ., and Norene’s five children who loved him as their own. Sandra (Paul) Andrus, Chubbuck, ID., Shawna (Myron) Bachman, Clinton, UT., Robert Hawkins, Weatherford, TX., Steven (Marti) Hawkins, Blackfoot, ID., Craig (Ginnie) Hawkins, Rigby, ID., 32 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister Gayle (Travis) Taylor, Topeka, Kansas., and brother-in-law Tom Osthoff.

He was preceded in death by both of his spouses, Regina Nalley and Helen Norene Hawkins Nalley, one son, Bruce Nalley, both of his parents, his sister Patrica (Pat) Osthoff, and brother Aaron Nalley.             

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 2pm at the Chubbuck Stake Center, 450 James, Chubbuck, with Bishop Bradley Rogers of the Chubbuck 5th Ward officiating. The interment will follow services at Mountain View Cemetery, Pocatello.  The family will welcome friends from 6pm to 8pm on Monday, May 27, 2024 at Manning Wheatley Funeral Home, 510 N. 12th Avenue, Pocatello and also 1 hr prior to services on Tuesday at the Church.