Charles Ray “Chuck” Sterling, 94, died July 4 in Cincinnati after a lifetime of devotion to his family and community. He was born Nov. 5, 1931, in Cygnet, Ohio, to the late Ruby and Ray Sterling. He grew up in nearby Bloomdale.

Chuck met his beloved wife Donna when they were both students at Ohio State University – a stroke of good fortune that cemented his status as a die-hard Buckeyes fan. The couple married June 19, 1955, a few months before Chuck completed his pharmacy degree from the University of Toledo.

Chuck served as a First Lieutenant in the Army as a weapons specialist in Fort Benning, Georgia, and Korea. He returned home to Donna to begin his pharmacy career in Columbus in 1957. In 1958 the couple welcomed their daughter, Linda, who grew up to share her father's love of sports, bulldogs, and all things Ohio State.

In October, 1960, Chuck opened the Gray Drug Store in Newark, Ohio, serving the community until his retirement more than 30 years later. Chuck truly embraced and loved his profession, treating his staff and customers as family.

As a member of OSU's chapter of the Acacia Fraternity during his undergraduate years, Chuck befriended his fraternity brother's English bulldog, Amos, sparking a lifelong love for the breed. In 1963, Donna surprised Chuck with a special birthday present – an English bulldog they christened Andy in honor of his old friend Amos. Chuck was never without a bulldog for the rest of his life. The couple made many lifelong friends through their involvement with bulldog clubs, often bringing their daughter with them as they traveled to dog shows around the country.

It's a tradition that Chuck and Linda continued after Donna's death in 2001, deepening their bond after the loss of their beloved wife and mother. Chuck met Nancy Pariso, the close companion of his later years, through their shared involvement with bulldogs. Nancy's children, grandchildren, and extended family warmly welcomed Chuck into their circle.

Chuck was a member of The Bulldog Club of America for 60 years as well as a lifetime member of the Buckeye Bulldog Club. Throughout his life, he held many offices at the various bulldog clubs to which he belonged, which also included the Cincinnati Bulldog Club and the Illiana Bulldog Club.

For the past nine years Chuck has lived in Cincinnati with Linda and her wife, Beth McCarty, and was so happy to be considered a member of the McCarty family. Chuck could often be found in his easy chair watching the Reds or an OSU game, but he could always spare the time to welcome visitors with a warm smile and a joke or two.

Graveside services will be held at noon Wednesday, July 8, at Maple Grove Cemetery at 350 E Maple Street in Granville, Ohio. Donations in Chuck's memory may be made to The Bulldog Club of America Charitable Fund or to Cincinnati Animal CARE at 3949 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati OH 45223.

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