CHARLES "CHUCK" GORDON NEWELL

Charles Gordon “Chuck” Newell of Bayview, AL passed away at the age of 71 on March 20, 2025, from Pancreatic and Liver cancer. Born on August 26, 1953, Chuck was the youngest of the 5 children born to Lee Roy Newell and Ines Inez Kelley Newell. Chuck was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend. Chuck had the kindest and most generous heart. Chuck’s early years were spent growing up in the Bayview community where he attended Bayview Elementary School, Dixie Jr High School, and Minor High School. For his Junior and Senior year of high school, Chuck attended Gardendale High School where he took a course in Drafting and graduated in 1973. In 1975 Chuck married his sweetheart, Diane, and in 1977 they welcomed their only child, a daughter. At an early age Chuck discovered a love of motorcycles, acquiring his first as a Christmas gift from his parents at age 10. Chuck spent all his free time as a kid and teenager riding dirt bikes around the Bayview community. In the early 1970’s he started dirt track racing motorcycles and later go-carts at Talladega Short Track and Concord Short Track. He spent most every weekend racing throughout the 70’s and into the early 80’s. Because of the success he was having, Chuck considered taking his love of racing to the professional level. However, given his responsibilities to his young family, Chuck decided to forgo his dreams of becoming a professional dirt bike racer. Chuck worked in the steel industry his entire career beginning in 1973 until his retirement in 2012. Over the years he worked for ACIPCO, US Steel Ensley Works for 10 years, Feralloy Corporation for 20 years and finally retiring in 2013 from US Steel’s Pipe Mill. Chuck was most proud of his family, especially his two granddaughters, Audrey Grace, whom he shared his birthday, and Ava Diane. He always had the best time telling stories, laughing, and joking with family and friends. As an avid racing and football enthusiast, Chuck could usually be found watching some type of racing if his Crimson Tide football team wasn’t playing. In addition, Chuck was fascinated with history and enjoyed watching documentaries on historical events. Chuck was preceded in death by his loving wife of 49 years, Glenda Diane Aldridge Newell; his father, Lee Roy Newell; his mother, Ines Inez Kelley Newell; and sisters, Barbara Lee Newell Walker and Donna Sue Newell Whisonant. Chuck is survived by his daughter, Shelli Diane Garrett (Keith); granddaughters, Audrey Grace and Ava Diane; brother, David Newell; sister, Peggy Cooper (Butch); and along with a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews he adored. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Peoples Chapel Funeral Home; Visitation will be from 10:00 am until 11:00 am and the funeral service will be at 11:00 am at the funeral home with Brother James Connell officiating. Burial will follow at Village Falls Cemetery, 75 Bayview Drive.