Harry Benjamin Charles

There’s nothing I loved more about school than being in the band and I’m so grateful that Mr. Charles was my first band director, 40-something years ago. There’s nothing like the first time a band plays a neat song all the way through. “The Theme from Batman” had us bouncing in our chairs. There’s nothing like laughing on a band bus, even though we only had to go a few blocks from PN junior high to the high school for football games. My best friends were in the band and we’ll always be best friends. Mr. Charles taught us that practice was the way to happiness. And, we had to turn in our practice cards to make him happy. He spoke softly, smiled easily and never forgot us.

Mona Brittain

I was so saddened to hear of Mr. Charles's passing. He taught my sister, Dianne, and my brother, Darell. He was one of our favorites. He made music such fun and he had such a generous heart and spirt. I first met Mr. Charles in 1954 and I remember him fondly. When I close my eyes and think of him, I see his warm, beautiful, loving smile. He loved teaching and it was apparent in how he treated his students. He will be sorely missed. My prayers and condolences to his family.

Cary, Kathy, Taylor, and Tracy

I am so sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers in this time of mourning. Just remember that he is in a much better place than we are.

Mr. Charles was one of my favorite teachers. God's peace.

I have many fond memories of Mr. Charles as my Junior High band director at Port Neches. He was a true blessing and delight and made band fun! A good man that touched many lives. He will surely be missed.

Mr. Charles was one of the best teachers I ever had. He taught his students life lessons as well as the love of music. He boosted their confidence and made it fun to work hard getting a piece of music to sound beautiful. He always had a huge grin on his face and it will truly be missed. Thank you, Mr. Charles for all you did for me, and all your other students, whose lives you touched. You had a God-given gift for teaching and you used it well.

Mr. Charles was one of those rare unforgettable people. I always admired his humor, his energy, and his big heart. Sometimes he reminded me of Jerry Lewis in his sheer exuberance.

When I'm leading music, I often think about the way he would pound the music stand with his baton to get us back in tempo. Sometimes the pieces of the baton would fly across the room. I wonder how many of those he broke. And I was amazed that he could pick up any instrument in the band and play the parts on it. Inspiring.

While I was in junior high (in the late 60s), he would periodically quit smoking. You could always tell, because he would be chewing on a Tinkertoy. And his science fiction collection was legendary.

Sorry to hear he passed on. But I expect he will be pounding the music stand in heaven if the angel choir ever starts getting off time.

Mr. Charles only substitute taught our band for one class, but that was enough to make me wish he had been our full-time band director. I also remember being in his computer lab; I've grown up to work with computers for a living, so maybe some of that stuck. Mr. Charles was a patient teacher -- a unique talent I can appreciate more as an adult. My sympathies to the Charles family in this time of loss.

The Family of Harry Charles, I am so sorry for your loss. Everyone will truly miss him. I will miss the jokes and the wealth of knowledge that he possessed. He taught me computer skills as well as being able to fix programs. He was a great friend, of not only my mom and dad and sister, but a true friend of mine also. I keep thinking about us going down the Buffalo river in Arkansas with Clarence, Doc, Harry, and myself. We sure had a great time! I will be thinking of you during your time of loss.

Reading through all of the messages printed here prove what an amazing man Mr. Charles was. I couldn't wait to go to my band class and was sad that it went by so fast. No other teacher made me feel that way. Thank you to the family for sharing him with us all. Thank you, Mr. Charles, for being the best teacher ever and for all the smiles that come to my face when I think of you. My prayers go out to his family and loved ones.