Charles Loraine Alley

A good and generous man passed away June 15, 2008 at age 93. Charles Loraine Alley was born in South Eden, Utah on December 9, 1914 to Pearlina Irwin Alley and Charles Henry Alley. He worked his way through college with his best friend and brother, Russell, to obtain an Electrical Engineering Degree (and to avoid herding sheep!)

During the depression, Charles cut hair for a quarter, played his trombone in a dance band, and worked odd jobs to support his little brother, Gerry, on his mission. During WWII he attended Yale University, where the Army made him take the electronics course he wrote for them. While there, he became enchanted with a girl named Mildred Hoyt whom he discovered at a party on her hands and knees pumping a player piano. They married in 1944 and were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.

Besides the Gospel and his family, his greatest love was teaching. He taught Electrical Engineering for 32 years at the University of Utah and co-authored several widely-used text books that were translated into many languages. Charles also worked on the Mariner and Viking Mars projects.

Charles saw the best in everyone and they frequently rose to his estimation. Even after he became ill, when asked how he felt, he always answered "well and happy." Charles loved serving in the church and held many varied callings. He and Mildred served a mission in Tennessee and were the directors of the Mormon Battalion Visitors Center in San Diego, CA.

His kindness and dedication made him a wonderful father to his children: Sharon (Larry) Guth-Alley, Marcia (Benjamin) Scoville, Douglas Hoyt Alley, Laurel (Bruce) Lay, and Robin (Edward) Bullen. Mildred and Charles had a daughter, April Loraine, who died in infancy. We will always be his most devoted students.

Charles has greatly missed his wife Mildred who died May 5th, 1990. They have 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Lillian Hunt Scoville, a granddaughter, lovingly cared for him every day for the last 4 years of his life.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 20, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Canyon Rim Ward, 3100 East 3000 South. Friends may visit with the family Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, and Friday morning at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.holbrookmortuary.com

The family would like to thank the staff at CareSource for their kind and respectful treatment of Charles during his final days. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends a donation to the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund, you may call 801-240-2067 to donate.