Charles Chester Ashby, age 67 of Richland, WA formerly of Pendleton, Oregon died Friday August 16, 2002, at Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, WA.

Mr. Ashby, also known as ''Chuck'' was born August 11, 1935 in San Jose, California to Carl and Beatrice O'Neal Ash by. He spent his childhood in San Jose and attended schools there.

After finishing school, he fulfilled a dream of his by joining the Salvation Army where he could serve God by helping others. He married Carmelita Prothero on August 24, 1956. They would have been married 46 years this month. They were commissioned in the Salvation Army in 1964. Their first appointment was in San Francisco, CA followed by posts in Yakima, WA Butte, MT Laramie, WY and finally in Pendleton, OR where they also ran the Exxon gas station formerly known as Just A Kiss.

Charles loved to sing; many a day you could hear singing echoing out from the bay of the gas station on Southgate. He eventually retired from the Salvation Army to stay in Pendleton so he could finish raising his family and he continued his ministry at the Irrigon Baptist Church.

Mr. Ashby would also guest sing at churches in the Pendleton area as well as ministering and singing in the Heppner and Lexington areas. He spent the last three years in nursing homes from complications due to diabetes. Survivors include his wife Carmelita, his sons:Charlton Ashby, Charles C. Ashby, Jr., Christopher'' Jay'' Ashby, and Chadwick Ashby. His daughters also survive him:Charlena Ashby Haefer, Christina Ashby Harrison and Candy Ashby Dooley.

Family and friends held a private family viewing on August 18th followed by a celebration of his life. Psalms 86 and Isaiah 53.