John Charles Asquith

1931 - 2017

CHARLESTON, S.C. - John Charles Asquith, 85, an American Airlines retiree of Summerville, passed away Feb. 12, 2017.

John lived his life by defining what it meant to be an American family man through service to his country, loyalty to the many friends he made from one coast to another and endless devotion to his loving family.

Born in 1931, in Ellicottville, N.Y., and raised with loving hands, John knew nothing but the centrality of family, an abiding joy of music and the importance of faith.

He experienced nature directly - canoeing and camping with his beloved Boy Scout Troop No. 149 in and around the Catskills, learning to snow ski and water ski at age 40, exploring Yosemite National Park and walking on Charleston beaches.

John lived to travel: interstates, country roads and a zillion plane trips. He drove across America eight times and went to his 50th state, Alaska, at 85.

After a U.S. Army stint in occupied Germany, John discovered American Airlines in 1952 and transferred to sunny Los Angeles, where he met his wife, Charlene, who shared his love of travel, kids and extended family. She predeceased him in 2014.

John is survived by three adoring children, Thomas (Deborah Lade) Asquith of Cincinnati and Sally (Robert) Johnson Asquith and Ellen Anderson, both of Summerville; seven grandchildren, Greg Frisbie of Charleston, Quinn Hayden, and his sweetheart Jenn Walker, of Goose Creek, Brian (Esya Volchek) Asquith of Boston, Matthew Frisbie of Modesto, Calif., John (Lauren) S. Asquith of Dayton, Ohio, and Andrew (Marie) Hayden of Summerville; two great-grandchildren, Julius and Oliver Hayden of Summerville; a sister, Helene Asquith of Sonora, Calif., and a brother, Arthur (Judy) Asquith of Cassadaga, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed at Hospice of Charleston, 4975 LaCross Road, North Charleston, SC 29406.