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Charles Fred Stotts

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Charles Fred Stotts left his earthly home for his eternal home early on Sunday, May 28, 2023 at Brookdale Camino Del Sol in Sun City West, Arizona where he resided for the past 16 months with dementia. Charles was born August 23, 1936 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He graduated from Southeast High School in Kansas City, MO where he participated in ROTC and was a founding member of Southeast’s ROTC band. After an initial year at University of Kansas, he went on to graduate with a degree in Business Administration from Midland University in Fremont, NE where he met his future wife, Ardyce. He married Ardyce (Suter) just after college and they enjoyed 64 years of marriage. Before starting his career, he attended basic training and participated in the Army Reserve. As an insurance agent early in his career, Charles sold the largest life insurance premium ever written by Farm Bureau of Nebraska. He was Director of Alumni at Midland University, Director of Development at Westmar University, and Assistant Dean of Development at Ohio University. He worked many years as Director of Capital Campaigns for Nonprofits leading fundraising efforts for churches, colleges, schools, and hospitals. A career highlight of his 17 major campaigns included raising $1,500,000 for a new headquarters for the International Game Fish Association in Dana Beach, Florida with Don Tyson, former CEO of Tyson Foods and Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops. Charles and Ardyce retired to Sun City West, Arizona in late 2008. Charles, also known as Chuck, Charlie, or Mr. C, thoroughly enjoyed people. Nobody was a stranger from people waiting in line at a store to restaurant servers to his caregivers in later life to celebrities and leaders of business–every one received a taste of his warm, jovial conversation. He and his wife, Ardyce, were committed to Christ and were active members of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West, Arizona. He loved music and loved to sing. He was an active member of Lord of Life’s visitation choir singing both as a member and soloist and later as an audience member at their musical visits to Brookdale Camino del Sol. An accomplished artist in his youth, Charles appreciated art and architecture throughout his life. As a transplanted Nebraskan, he was a Cornhusker fan and could discuss Husker coaches and history well into later stages of dementia. Charles is survived by his beloved and loving wife, Ardyce (Suter), his children Andy Stotts and fiancee Patti Crowley and Amy Stotts and husband Own Ali, and a granddaughter Sadiyah Ali. He is also survived by his sister Betsy (Bill) Heuerman, nephew David (Jocelyn), and niece Laurie (Dave) Lane. He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Lorena (Jost) Stotts, parents-in-law James and Elsie (Johnson) Suter, and a granddaughter Sira Ali. A Celebration of Life and reception is planned for June 17, 2023 at 2pm at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West, Arizona. Memorial contributions may be made to Lord of Life Lutheran Church or charity of your choice.