Charles Eugene "Chuck" Jabaley

Charles Eugene “Chuck” Jabaley

“The King”

Because his grandfather was unable to purchase a steerage class ticket as they had sold out and he had not saved enough money for an upper deck ticket, the RMS Titanic sailed without him, and Chuck Jabaley was born 39 years later on March 9, 1951, in Ducktown, TN. He passed away May 2, 2018, at his home after a 10-year heroic battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
Chuck’s parents, the late John and Elizabeth Jabaley, raised their family in the Copperhill, TN area where their ancestors had settled because it reminded them of the home they had left behind in Lebanon. Chuck is survived by his brother Dr. Michael Jabaley of Jackson, MS and his sister Theresa Jabaley of Chicago, IL, and predeceased by his brother, Dr. Fred Jabaley, of Atlanta, GA.
Chuck wore many hats throughout his life and wore them well, excelling in everything he took on such as being an attorney, farmer, golfer, outdoorsman, and pilot. Being an exceptionally brilliant student, he began his formal education at The Baylor School in Chattanooga, as a boarding student. After losing his father unexpectedly in the 9th grade, he begged and pleaded with his mother to allow him to come home, but “tough love” prevailed and started him down the path that shaped him into the great man he became. After graduating from Baylor, Chuck attended undergraduate school at the University of North Carolina and later graduated at the top of his law school class from The University of Georgia.
Before moving his family to Cleveland, TN in 1987 where he accepted a position with Life Care Centers of America as their corporate attorney, he practiced law in Atlanta, GA where he met his wife of 38 years, Becky. He was a devoted and loving husband and father, gently offering wise advice and guidance when needed. He leaves as legacies, his son Austin Jabaley (Mackenzie) of Wildwood, GA and his daughter Allison Murry (Tom) of Roswell, GA. He was also blessed with 2 grandchildren, Luke Jabaley, 3 years old and Charlotte Murry, 7 months old. They were highlights in his life and he was happy to have them around to share Giddo kisses and fist-bumps with.
Chuck’s accomplishments were many… known to his friends as “The King,” he brought home golf trophies on a regular basis. But his most cherished honor came in 1992 when he won The Atlanta Athletic Club’s Club Championship and his name was placed alongside his idol’s, Robert Tyre Jones, Jr, (Bobby Jones), on the championship trophy, which is showcased in the lobby at the Atlanta Athletic Club. He was inducted into the Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and was recently honored by The Tennessee Golf Association naming the Tennessee State Super Senior Match Play trophy in his honor. He enjoyed flying himself and friends to golf destinations all around the country, having earned his pilot’s license in 1996.
He often spoke of becoming a teacher when he retired. It was a dream thought to be left unrealized. But for those who knew and loved him, he was always a teacher. He taught us all about truth and honor, making the right choices in life, helping people in need, and the importance of friendships. His final and most significant lesson spanned a period of 10 years… Life is worth fighting for, always give it your all and never give up, even when the odds are against you!
We will all miss him dearly.
Services will be held at St. Therese Catholic Church on Monday, May 7th, 2018 at 11 o’clock with a gathering of friends and family immediately following at the Cleveland Country Club. Please make a donation to the charity of your choice or to the Emory ALS Center in lieu of flowers.
You are invited to share a personal memory of Chuck or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral and Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Jabaley family with these arrangements.