Charlie (Chuck) Stanford Cain, Jr., 89, went to heaven on December 2, 2022, with family members by his side. Diagnosed with melanoma in 2020, Chuck battled through chemo, radiation treatments and Covid and then rebounded for about a year to enjoy all the things he loved, Jesus, family, sports, and hunting.

Chuck was born on July 19, 1933, in Ambrose, Georgia to Charlie S. Cain and Lydia Meeks Cain. He moved to Jacksonville in the 3rd grade and attended Lackawanna Elementary School, John Gorrie Junior High and Lee High School, class of ’51. During his high school years, he was known as “Fireball Cain” and had frequent articles written about his pitching success in the newspaper. He played baseball for the American Legion Post 9 Generals and in 1948 they won the state and regional titles and finished as runner-up in the American Legion Junior World Series. After graduation, he played baseball for the Georgia Crackers, a farm club of the Atlanta Braves as a pitcher.

After two years of professional baseball, he went to work for Seaboard Coastline Railroad (now CSX) until he was drafted into the army, serving two years in Korea during the Korean Conflict. He returned to work at the railroad until he retired in 1986. Chuck continued pitching in softball and baseball leagues around the city for many years.

In 1956, he was set up on a blind date by his friend, Jack Markel, and met Eleanor (Bunny) Powers who had just moved here from Massachusetts. They eloped six months later in January of 1957. Their first child, Craig Alan, was born in 1958 with special needs and he has been missed deeply for 50 years. His daughter Candie was born in 1959 and daughter Cathy in 1961.

His love of sports was passed down to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He spent hours teaching them how to throw a baseball, catch, pitch, shoot a basketball, and throw a spiral. He loved nothing more than to be at the ballpark, court or field watching his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as they cheered and played sports. He invested his time and talents to instill the love of the game with the many kids who called him Coach Cain. He was also a big fan of the Atlanta Braves, Florida Gators and Jacksonville Jaguars. He was a Gator booster and season ticket holder for the Jaguars for many years.

Hunting and being out in the woods were favorite pastimes. His friend Pat Griffis was his hunting buddy and they spent hours in Jennings Forest looking for deer and turkey. Even if their day wasn’t successful, he enjoyed the experience of being out in nature. After Pat passed away, his son Glen stepped in to take “Mr. Charlie” out to the woods.

In the early 60’s, Harris Touchton, a coworker at the railroad and his cousin, came to Chuck and Bunny’s house to share the gospel and lead them to Christ. They both were saved that night which changed the trajectory of their family forever. They raised their children at Park Lane Baptist Church and were members of Hyde Park Baptist Church and then First Baptist Church of Jacksonville for the past 34 years. Chucks love for the Lord was evident as he became a student of the bible, a Sunday School group leader and talked about the goodness of God all the time. Wal-Mart and Books a Million became his mission field. He would strike up conversations with people at the magazine rack and share the gospel with them. He served the Lord faithfully, with Bunny by his side and now his faith has become sight.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie S. Cain and Lydia Meeks Cain and, son, Craig Alan Cain, and brother R. Stanley Cain. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Eleanor (Bunny) Cain, daughters Candie Fry (Chuck) and Cathy Corcoran (Craig) of Jacksonville; his 6 grandchildren, Craig Fry (Kristen), Christa Fry, Catie Fry, Chad Corcoran, Claire Corcoran, Cade Corcoran and his two great-granddaughters, Ava Fry and Makaila Fry of Jacksonville and nephew Richard Cain of Tulsa, Oklahoma and niece, Deitra Johnson of Bartow, FL.

A celebration of his legendary life will be held on Friday, December 9th at Fraser Funeral Home, 8168 Normandy Blvd. at 11:00 am with Terry Davidson officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, one hour prior to the service.

Arrangements under the care and direction of Fraser Funeral Home, 8168 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32221 (904) 781-4314