Charles "Chuck" Lee Aley III

Charles Lee Aley III, age 66 of Lakeland, FL, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on March 19, 2026. Chuck was born on December 17, 1959, in Jacksonville, FL to Charles Lee Aley Jr. and Nancy Evans Aley. He grew up in Orange Park, FL and graduated from Orange Park High School in 1977.

Chuck graduated from the University of Florida in 1982 and was an active member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Navy as a Naval Aviator. Known by the callsign “Catfish,” he attended Aviator Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, FL, where he began his Naval career. He attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI and graduated in 1998 with a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. Chuck was stationed on many Naval Air Stations throughout the United States and abroad, including Norfolk, VA, Meridian, MS, Newport, RI, and Atsugi, Japan. He flew multiple aircraft during his 21-year career, including the E-2C Hawkeye, T-2C Buckeye, T-34C Turbo Mentor, and the T-44A Pegasus. He served aboard US Naval aircraft carriers USS America, USS Independence and USS Saratoga, and was a Carrier Qualifications instructor. Chuck retired from the Navy in 2003 at his highest rank as Commanding Officer of Traron Nine at NAS Meridian. He was highly decorated and received many awards throughout his career in the Navy. After retirement, he began a career as a commercial airline pilot for Airtran Airways and later Southwest Airlines, flying the Boeing 717 and Boeing 737 aircraft.

Chuck was an avid water skier his entire life. He competed in trick, jump, and slalom skiing as a member of the UF Gator Water Ski Team during college. Throughout his life, he was nationally ranked in trick and jump skiing by the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Foundation. He owned multiple Nautique and Malibu boats and was a gracious and patient teacher to anyone who wanted to learn to ski. Chuck was also a skilled guitar player. He played in multiple garage bands during high school and college. He enjoyed playing classic rock, especially his favorite song, Smoke on the Water.

Chuck was married to his late wife, Dana Meitin Aley, from 1983 until her passing in 2015. He then found love again with Patricia Christine Engle, and they married in 2021. Chuck is survived by his wife Chris Engle, daughter Morgan Aley, stepdaughter Sydney Engle, and multiple nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Sharon Aley Lyons.

In recognition of his dedicated service to the United States Navy, a memorial service with full military honors will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland on Friday, March 27, 2026 at 11am. The family will receive friends during Visitation prior to the service at 10am. A reception will be held at the church immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org) in honor of Charles L Aley III to support US Military Veterans.