Carlos J. Chase

Carlos J. Chase, baseball player, stamp collector, coach, missionary, world traveler, and devoted family man, died at the age of 81 on Wednesday July 27, 2022 in Tucson, AZ after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Born October 10, 1940, Carlos was raised in Trenton New jersey by his parents Lewis Chase, Jr. and Cletha Noreen Chase who proceded him in death. He was one of six children (brothers Lewis "Duke" Chase (deceased), John Chase, and Jese Chase and sisters Penny Chase Hill and Michelle Kennedy) To escape the crowed mayhem of Chase household, Carlos would spend alot of time outside playing stickball on the streets. His love of stickball translated into real baseball and at the age 15, he played first base on an all star team that won the National Babe Ruth League World Series, traveling by train from Trenton to Portland, Oregon for the championship game. Carolos continued his baseball career at William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he met his first wife Carolyn Waal. Several years after they were married they had two chilren, Curt and Christie. After Graduating College, Carlos earned his Master's in Education from the University of Iowa. being dedicated servant he was, Carlos spent his entire professional career in this position improving peoples lives. Additionally, Carlos engaged in the study of Agriculture. While this was not a formal degree program, it was a real life experience. Prior to moving to Tucson, he lived most of his adult life on a farm. This was quite a transition for the city boy from Trenton, N.J. who was commonly in the barn delivering baby lambs in 20 below zero Iowa January temperatures. Throughout his life, Carlos was very active in his church where he held many leadership positions. His true passion was getting involved in the Mission trips of his church where he could help others and travel the world. Carlos visited nearly every Central America county, several South American countries, as well as multiple trips to Africa, where he built churches and schools. With the name "Carlos", he was constantly confused as someone that actually speak Spanish and on many trips go Guatemala or the Dominican, he would be asked to led prayers. In 1993, Carlos married Bonnie Hamilton. After he retired from the state of Iowa in 2001, Carlos and Bonnie spent several yers volunteering as missionaries. In 2002, they spent a year teaching missionary and embassy children at a school in Moscow, Russia. Following Russia, Carlos and Bonnie lived in Kansas and worked with the Jesus Film Ministry. The last formal mission work they performed was teaching native American students at the Sun Valley Indian School in Sun Valley, Arizona. They fell in love with Arizona and after wintering in Tucson for several years, they moved to Tucson permanently. Simple pleasures in life brought great joy to Carlos. He enjoyed stamp collecting, reading history books, watching baseball, finding the lowest gas prices in town, bargain hunting and going out to eat. He loved to play cards and games with family and friends. But most of all he valued spending time with his grandchildren: Greta and Elijah (children of Carlos son Curt Chase); Sidney and Olivia (children of Carlos daughter Christie Chase Fleming) and Clara, Hudson & Danica (children of his step-son aaron Hamilton). Carlos was known for his rocking his grandchildren to sleep and singing hymns to them when they were young, and playing, teasing, and joking with them as they got older. He was dedicated to attending their baseball and softball games, dance recitals, graduations, and many other activities. But he never missed an opportunity to pas along good "Grandpa Advice"-always with that classic mischievous Carlos smile. The immediate family will hold a private memorial on August 6, 2022 to honor Carlos at his home Church in Tucson. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Carlos to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or the Mount Zion Lutheran Church in Tucson. Carlos loved God, family, and the variety of life. He positively impacted numerous people around the globe and while he will be missed, Carlos will be remembered for his vast contributions to others and his caring warm heart. Arrangements by Family Owned and Operated Hudgel's Swan Funeral Home Tucson, Arizona.