Charles Roland Jasper, 91, passed away peacefully Monday evening, August 31, 2020 at Fairfax Hospital, in Fairfax, Virginia. He is survived by his wife of 69 years and best friend, Donna L. ( Fletcher) Jasper, his four children Alan K. Jasper (Marla Grabowsky), Susan Jasper Yancey (Walt), Sally Auler Myers, and Lucy Van Buren Jasper. He was G'Pa to grandchildren Luke Jasper, Casey Jasper, Ryan Jasper (Stacey Woodard Jasper), Beth Jasper Allen (Jake Allen), Justin Morrison, Adam Auler (Kasia Auler), Mary Rose Myers, Fletcher Reese Van Buren and Natasha Van Buren. He also had 5 great grandchildren: Mallorie, Emorie, Eliza, Olivia and Konrad.
He was born June 12, 1929 to his parents Lucy Coffee and Gideon Jasper on the family farm near Hogue, Kentucky. Charlie was the youngest and last surviving member of his large family of eight siblings; Marvin (Ruby) Jasper, Elizabeth Jasper, Dorothy (Frank) Ramsey, Jerry (Harry) Emmerich, Fan (Edward) Walsh, Nell (Ted) Barnes, Trudie (Gay) Aker and Ruth Ann (Wayne) Hamilton.
Charlie initially graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Agriculture and remained a Wildcats basketball fan his entire life. Later, he earned additional degrees in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics from Washington University of St. Louis, and a master’s degree in International Affairs from George Washington University. In addition, he received two degrees from the U.S Naval War College in Newport Rhode Island. Charlie also graduated from the Navy's Officer Candidate School, Flight school and The Navy's Electronics school.
Captain Jasper had a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Navy, serving in The Korean War, The Cold War and The Vietnam War, as a Seaman, Naval Aviator and Commanding Officer. After leaving the Navy he worked for ISI designing aircraft and developing aviator training programs. Charlie was highly decorated but rarely, if ever, mentioned any of it to the family as his greatest gift was his humility.
Captain Jasper’s career, however, pales in comparison to his roles as husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, friend and mentor. The family has met yearly in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina since 1942, where Charlie loved a good game of golf with relatives, or a competitive game of Hearts or backgammon. Charlie was also a very gifted mechanic that could build or fix most anything; a skill he lovingly used to keep the family "Fleet" of cars going. Anyone who knew Charlie will forever be touched by his caring ways and loving heart.
Love You! You will be missed!!
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18