GAITHERSBURG, MD – Reverend Charles Louis Callis Jr. “Pastor Chuck”, Tri County Baptist Church, Laytonsville, Maryland, moved to his heavenly home September 12, 2015 at the age of 63.

The memorial “CELEBRATION OF LIFE” will be held on Saturday September 26, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Tri County Baptist Church 7821 Damascus Road, Laytonsville, Maryland 20882. / www.tcbcmd.org.

Pastor Chuck was born and raised on a farm in Ahoskie, NC and was known for being an exceptional athlete and excited member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Over time he went on to graduate from Liberty University, Southeastern Baptist Seminary, Wake Forest, and completed an additional Master of Divinity.

Following ten years in the business world he answered his call to full time ministry following the sudden death of his 10 year old son, Adam, and never looked back. He started in ministry as the Associate Pastor at London Bridge Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, Virginia. He continued on to become the Senior Pastor at Petsworth Baptist Church Gloucester, VA. While serving in Gloucester, he was diagnosed with severe cardiomyopathy and subsequently received a heart transplant in California at the age of 46.

As soon as he recovered he jumped back into ministry and served as Senior Pastor at Alum RockBaptistChurch, San Jose, California for 10 years. He returned to the east coast to serve as the Senior Pastor at Tri County Baptist Church (TCBC) Laytonsville, Md., where he happily served for the past 5 years.  While serving at TCBC he was diagnosed with an aggressive melanoma that he fought courageously filled with faith, humor, and kindness for all who crossed his path. We know he is now happy in his heavenly home.

Pastor Chuck was a lifelong sports enthusiast, enjoying flying as a sport pilot, scuba, golf, tennis, and water sports.  Among his greatest joys in life was his time spent “island hopping” playing with his family in various Caribbean and Hawaiian islands. We will all miss his wonderful smile, sense of humor and encouraging words that never failed to build our faith as he walked the challenging path of his life.

He is preceded by his precious son, Adam, and his parents, Charles and Jean Callis. The family that will continue his faith filled legacy on earth include: his adoring wife, Juli Anne; his dedicated daughter, Lisa; and his fun filled grandchildren, Austyn and Luke of San Diego, California.

He will also be missed by his North Carolina based family, including his sister, Deborah Perry; and brothers, David and Lee Callis.

In lieu of flowers the family requests any donations be made to selected charities that will be listed at www.tcbcmd.org.