Charles Nelson Brough

Charles Nelson Brough, who enjoyed the name Chuck, was born in Fresno, Ca on February 18, 1945, to Clyde Nelson & Ella Martha Brough. He was their second son and youngest of three children. To the ends of eternity and back, he loved his older brother Clyde who passed before him and sister Laurella who survives them both -and they loved their little bro.

Chuck was a warm soul who loved others and self-deprecating humor. He passed into the hands of the Lord on Monday, March 23, 2026 at 1:23 pm to see the room prepared and at last embrace his beloved wife Karen Ann Brough with whom he had, and is survived by, three wonderful children John, Christine, and Jessica. He got to be grandpa to Garret and Alyscon; and great grandpa to John and Becky’s grandkids. His family was balm and joy to his heart and soul beyond measure and may they all be blessed forever.

An avid sportsman, he played sports of all types -College ball at Fresno State, hardball with Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL), and high-level fast-pitch softball every decade of his life; even some adult co-ed soccer, coaching his kid’s soccer teams in the 80’s, and taking over the Clovis Junior Soccer League with his wife Karen to lift it to great heights.

Chuck struck out and hammered homers off men well under half his age into his 70’s -He even earned a World Series Ring with MSBL and was respected for his character, wit, and skill. Whether driving one out of the park or bunting it right between the pitcher, catcher, and first baseman -He loved the game and was LA Dodger Blue for life and enjoyed playful rivalry with his coworkers who were all SF Giants Fans. What stories he shared.

Truly ambidextrous, as any of his former baseball buddies and students can attest, Chuck loved the 1st day of class as much as opening day of baseball season. He would sit and gab with the students, as if one of them, until they started wondering where the prof was, then he’d get up and say, “If they don’t show up, I guess I’ll do it.” and start writing across 2 blackboards first with his left hand, then with his right to the astonishment of the class.

He was simply brilliant beyond measure. Gifted in theology, logic, mathematics, and economics; Chuck made the latter his profession and taught Economics from his mid-twenties at the very schools he graduated from -Fresno City College and California State University Fresno. He had a blessed career teaching and was well respected for his 30 years as an Assessor and Chief Appraiser of Madera County. At Fresno State, Chuck was a brother of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity like his older brother Clyde.

Of all Chuck accomplished, it is what he received that made him the man we honor -Salvation and Transformation by the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from whom flowed the richness of soul and legacy left in the lives of all God brought across his path. Jesus made Chuck a man who stepped up to every challenge and swung with Godly might against the knuckle and curveballs that came his way. He will be greatly missed, oft imitated, mentioned cheerfully, and missed by all until we see him with our Lord again. Cherish and share your memories of Chuck as we will.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Peoples Church - Chapel, 7172 N Cedar Ave, Fresno, CA 93720, on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.

Charles will be laid to rest at Clovis Cemetery, 305 North Villa Avenue, Clovis.