Charles “Chuck” Wells Morley, Jr.

Born on May 23, 1938 in Daytona Beach, Florida
Departed on March 2, 2021, in Melbourne, Florida

Charles “Chuck” Wells Morley Jr. was born May 23, 1938 to Charles W. Morley Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Davenport in Daytona Beach, Florida. Chuck is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara, his son Christopher, daughter Elissa, and granddaughter Mei-ling.

Funeral Services will be held March 12 at 2:00 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5330 Babcock St. NE Palm Bay, Florida 32905.

Chuck Morley’s memory will be deeply cherished by those who knew him best. Many enjoyed his knack for storytelling, entertaining sense of humor and compassionate heart. Above all, he will be remembered as a playfully affectionate husband and father, the quintessential family man.

Chuck grew up in Saginaw, Michigan and Phoenix, Arizona, attending Judson High School. He studied Theater and English at Rollins College in Winter Park (1956–1960) and acting at American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City (’64– ‘65.)

Charles performed in Greenwich Village night clubs with folk music act, The Mime and Me. He also performed on Broadway in A Joyful Noise alongside John Raitt and Eric Weissberg. Chuck also worked for CBS in ’66– ‘68.

Inspired by space exploration, Charles moved his wife and son, Christopher, from New York to Cocoa Beach. He worked as a writer, public relations official and audio-visual specialist in the aerospace industry.

During the 70’s and 80’s Chuck actively served in the Cocoa Beach Space Congress Committee, in community theater and on the board of the Space Coast Art Festival.

Mr. Morley appeared as a film extra in several major Florida-based Hollywood film productions in the late 90’s including Contact (‘97), and most visibly in a scene with Tom Hanks in the final episode of the HBO mini-series From the Earth to the Moon (‘98.)

Charles was a gifted singer, guitarist, songwriter, leading folk-style Masses at Our Savior Catholic Church (Cocoa Beach) and St. Joseph Catholic Church (Palm Bay.) He was active in his church group, Christ Renews His Parish.

Chuck’s song, “My Skylab Home” was broadcast to the Skylab crew as a wake-up call in 1973. His “Mars Rovin’” resides on Mars in the Mars Rover as part of the digital time capsule. His “Tribute to Challenger 7” played at The Astronaut Memorial Foundation Center at Kennedy Space Center.

His distinct voice and music may be enjoyed by streaming his Space to Share album at this link: Album