Charles Eugene Ezell, AKA “Charlie,” passed away the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019 peacefully in his home in Rawlins, Wyoming.
Charlie was born in Wimberley, TX on June 8, 1934 to Lester and Dora Ezell. He spent the first 50 something years of his life humoring the residents of Wimberley and San Marcos with his endless jokes and then moved on to Colorado and Wyoming to share his wit.
At age 16, Charlie falsified his birth record to show he was 18 so he would be accepted into the Marine Corps in 1951. As a Marine, he fought on the front lines of the Korean War. He seldom talked about his service; he only said he served his country as was needed. Many years later we learned that his time in Korea was difficult and haunted him most of his life. Appreciation for his service and that of other veterans is immeasurable. Charlie returned from Korea in March of 1954 and soon thereafter met June Snyder, who became his wife of 33 years. Together they raised 4 biological children and welcomed many others as family. He attended what is now known as Texas State University and obtained a degree in Chemistry. He employed his degree working for the Federal Fish Hatchery, TX State Fish Hatchery, and the TX Dept of Water Resources for over 20 years.
Charlie used his knowledge of raising fish at the family-owned Catfish Farm in Martindale, TX and his cooking skills at the family restaurant, The Catfish Cage, in San Marcos, TX. He was fondly referred to as Catfish Charlie.
He was quite the fisherman and spent many weekends fishing the rivers, lakes, and gulf of Texas. If anyone was catching a fish it was usually Charlie. He was an avid whitetail and mule deer hunter and guide. He shared his affinity for hunting and fishing with his boys. Charlie hunted the mesas of New Mexico with his cherished older brother, Maurice, every November and brought home many large trophy antlers and lots of venison from which he made delicious sausage. He spent many hunting seasons in Colorado as a Guide for Sierra Grande Outfitters, the business of his oldest son, Les. For years hunters would return and request that Charlie be their guide. He was the best! At the end of the hunting day he would tell jokes and keep the hunters laughing into the night.
Charlie despised traffic but braved the Houston chaos to visit his beloved sister and family, Alleene and Roy Martin. His eyes would light up when he spoke of “Sis.” He loved her dearly.
Charlie was also a talented craftsman. He built many custom homes in San Marcos alongside his sons, Lee and Lynn, AKA “Wack.” Many other young men in San Marcos had the privilege of learning from and working with him as well.
Most don’t know that Charlie had a photographic memory and was a gifted writer and mathematician. With his daughter, Lesa, he spent time posing “what if” questions and challenging her academically. He loved to be quizzed with high level mathematical problems and solved them in his head without pencil and paper. He was a whiz! He was the master proofreader of school essays. Charlie was also a master gardener and a great cook. Together, Charlie and Lesa made fudge or gingerbread on a Sunday night while enjoying Hee Haw.
Charlie is predeceased by his parents, Lester and Dora Ezell, his wife, June Ezell and grandson, Gage McSpadden.
He is survived by siblings, Maurice Ezell and Alleene Martin and husband, Roy, and their children Ray and Mitzi and families.
He is also survived by his beloved mate and care giver of over 20 years, Sharon Saint, and her daughter, Chrissy, and children, Clayton McSpadden and Logan Gray. Their thoughts and memories of Charlie will forever be embedded in their minds and hearts. Charlie will be greatly missed by his Wyoming family.
Charlie was a lover of children and was the biggest kid of all. He was the epitome of what a grandfather should be and posed as “Pa” to many youngsters. He is survived by grandchildren including Jarrett Ezell and wife, Kortni; Hunter Ezell and wife, Jill; Kandice, Keslie, and Kaylea Box; Jessica McGill and husband, Trent; Jacob, and Avery Ezell; Shanna Mouton and husband, Justin; Glen McNair, Kevin Mock and wife, Megan; Kasey Mock and wife, Elizabeth, and Kelyn Mock. Great grandchildren include Tildyn, Fallon, Kinlei, and Sawyer and others from extended families.
Lastly Charlie is survived by his children who idolized and adored him and by whom he will be sorely missed including Les Ezell and wife, Anna; Wack Ezell; Lee Ezell and wife, Jamie; Lesa Ezell; Keith Mock and wife, Polly and friends, nieces, and nephews too numerous to name, but equally loved.
Even after 2 strokes and difficulty speaking, Charlie continued to tell jokes. Whatever he was doing, there was laughter involved. His laughter will be missed but not forgotten.
The family will host an informal gathering at Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley, TX, March 23 at 2 p.m. Seating is limited, so you may want to bring a folding chair and be prepared for inclement weather. Contact Pennington Funeral Home for more information. A special thanks to Pennington’s for many years of caring for our family in times of loss.
Come share a story about Charlie and enjoy a few laughs in his honor.
Pennington Funeral Home, San Marcos, TX, 512-353-4311. www.penningtonfuneralhome.com.
