Clarence Charles Dees Jr.

Clarence Charles Dees, Jr., 85, passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior on March 19, 2022. He was born on September 20, 1936, to Clarence and Anne Dees. He grew up in Charlotte, NC. His father kept him occupied pulling nails out of pallets from Pittsburg Paints. He also had a paper route. While attending Harding High School, Charlie participated in football and basketball. He also enjoyed boxing and drag racing. Upon graduating from school, he attended Toccoa Falls Institute where he met the love of his life Jane Dees.

Jane and Charlie were married on August 18, 1957 in Charlotte, NC. He earned a bachelor’s in education from Toccoa Falls Institute. Charlie and Jane then began their ministry with the Christian Missionary Alliance in Jacksonville, Sanford, and Lakeland Florida. He started the Jacksonville and Lakeland C&MA churches. In 1970 he moved his family to Orlando, Florida where they served at Downey Memorial Church. Although he was lead pastor, he always made time for the youth with beach trips, flag football and countless other activities. He completed his Master of Education and Doctorate in Christian Education from Freedom University. Together they served in church ministry for a total of 60 years.

Charlie and Jane were blessed with four beautiful children: Leah, Tim, Libby, and Andrew. Charlie leaves behind his children, Leah Clark (Tim), Tim Dees (Fatima), Libby Catto (Bill), Andrew Dees (Jennie), his grandchildren, Amanda Dingley (Marc), Emily Howell (Luke), Brandon Dees (Kaylee), Colton Catto, Carly Catto, Caleb Catto, Jewelia Dees, Benjamin Dees, Stella Dees, Anthony Garcia-Dees, Jonathan Garcia-Dees and great grandchildren, Elyssa Clark, William Dingley, Preston Dingley, Everett Dingley, Landon Howell, Lucy Howell, Ella Howell, Emmaline Howell, and Braelynn Dees, along with a host of nieces and nephews. Charlie was preceded in death by both of his parents, Clarence Dees, Sr., and Anne Massey Dees, his sisters Barbara Green and Myra Payne.

Charlie loved boxing, the beach, a good restaurant, and reading. He will always be remembered as a man of prayer. His concern for people and especially his family was genuine. Charlie most treasured his relationship with Jesus and wanted to make sure that those with whom he encountered knew HIM also!

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, March 22nd at 3:00 p.m. at the Chapel Hill Cemetery located at 2420 Harrell Rd, Orlando, FL, 32817. All are invited. Information regarding his Celebration of Life will be posted at a later date and time.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to one of the following mission organizations: Paradise Mountain Ministries, P.O. Box 635, Toccoa, GA 30577 (paradisemtn.org) or Missionary # 042918 (Greg and Cambie Wilson) SIM USA, 14830 Choate Circle, Charlotte, NC 28273 (www.simusa.org)