Charles M. Earley Jr., M.D., 80, went to be with his Lord May 13, 2008, after a short courageous fight with cancer. Born in Gates County, North Carolina, he grew up in Norfolk, graduated from Granby High School and Duke University, and completed his medical studies at the Medical College of Virginia and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served as a general surgeon in the United States Air Force. He moved to Virginia Beach in 1964 to enter private practice where he was the co-founder and senior partner of Virginia Beach Surgery, retiring from that practice in 1993. He leaves a legacy of love for God, his family and his fellow man. A devoted Christian and lifelong Methodist, he was a member of Virginia Beach United Methodist Church and was active in leadership with the Sanctuary Choir, Good News Class, Administrative Board, Finance Committee, Building committees, Mission Commission and served as a delegate to the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. His service to the community was extensive. He was an Eagle Scout and a participant of the Project Mercury Recovery Force while a major in the Air Force. He was a member of the founding group of physicians of Virginia Beach General Hospital and served as past president of the Virginia Beach Medical Society, the Virginia Beach Unit of the American Cancer Society and of the Humera Society. He served on the boards of Seaboard Savings & Loan, Life Savings Bank and BB&T. He was a member of the Cape Henry Model A Club and the Tidewater Chapter of the Antique Automobile Association. A sports enthusiast and member of the Iron Dukes, he was an avid follower of Duke basketball and the New York Yankees. He is survived by his loving wife of more than 57 years, Gloria Ripley Earley; sister, Edla Trnka of Basel, Switzerland; uncle, Arthur Earley of Westfield, N.Y.; children, Laura Ezell and husband Rick, Susan Rohrer and husband Mark, Charles M. Earley III and wife Christina and Sara Jane Ebersole and husband Samuel; and nine grandchildren. A memorial service celebrating the life and homegoing of Charley will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in Virginia Beach United Methodist Church, 19th Street and Pacific Avenue, with a reception following in the church fellowship hall. The Rev. Ted David will officiate. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Missions Fund or the Conway Britton Instrumental Fund of Virginia Beach United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society . Dr. Earley's family offers heartfelt thanks to the extended families of faith and medicine who were so dear to him and so loving in their care of him.