Charles Witter Pyle, 78, of Beaumont and April Sound on Lake Conroe passed away at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston on Friday, January 4, 2008.
Charlie was born December 29, 1929, in Houston to Charles Weaver Pyle and Minnie Pearl Witter. He attended Houston public schools, graduating from Lamar High School in 1948 and went on to attend Texas A&M University for two years. He earned a college degree by attending night school at the University of Houston while working days at Schlumberger and American General Insurance Company. He then earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from South Texas College of Law in 1956. He was drafted into the Army in January 1953 and was honorably discharged in October 1954 after attaining the rank of sergeant and serving in the Judge Advocate General’s Office.
Charlie was hired by Humble Oil & Refining in Houston. He soon thereafter met and fell in love with Ida Caldwell McFaddin whom he married in 1958. Charlie moved his family to Bell County in 1966, where he and his brother, Harold, bought their ancestral farm in Taylor’s Valley, with Charlie trying his hand at farming and ranching. Having that out of his system, Charlie acquired and merged two independent insurance agencies to form The Insurors, which he owned until 1982. In 1979, he acquired KIKM AM/FM radio stations in Sherman, followed by KWIC FM and its sister AM station in Beaumont as well as two stations in Mineral Wells. In 1986 Charlie and Ida moved to Beaumont to operate the stations there. He conceptualized and published the Southeast Texas Executive Business Review. Charlie organized the local media and advertising agencies to rally against the prevailing negativism about the depressed Southeast Texas economy of the mid-1980s by launching a publicity campaign called “Let’s Kick Some Attitude.” As a result, he was named “Business Person of the Year” by the Better Business Bureau of Southeast Texas in 1986 and subsequently received the “You Are the Key” award from the Downtown Beaumont Rotary Club, of which he was a member. The Young Men’s Business League also honored Charlie’s efforts by presenting him with a letter of commendation from President Ronald Reagan. Charlie retired in 1990, and enjoyed many years with Ida at their second home on Lake Conroe, entertaining friends and family and traveling the world. He also served on the board of directors of the Bar C Ranch Company. His motto was, “Work hard, play hard,” and, he certainly lived up to it. After retirement, he took great pleasure in passing out his new business card which bestowed on him the title of president and CEO of the “Dunworkin” Corporation.
An active member of the Episcopal Church all of his adult years, Charlie served as a delegate to the Diocesan Council several times, and was senior warden of the vestry. He served on the church school board, and as a Sunday morning usher. Charlie was also a board member of the United Way of Beaumont.
Affectionately known to his adoring grandchildren as “Grinch,” Charlie had a heart of gold and a sense of humor to match. He was proud to be an American, a Texan and an Aggie. Charlie’s blood ran maroon, and he remained a loyal supporter of Texas A&M for the rest of his life. All three of his children attended Texas A&M as well. He loved his family, his friends and his buddies from the Class of ’52. He enjoyed the ducks on Lake Conroe, and somewhat akin to Will Rogers, he never met a Basset Hound he didn’t like. He loved Big Band music, football, crossword puzzles and watching Fox News, ESPN, and the Weather Channel from his ever-faithful reclining chair and universal remote control. He touched the lives of many people and was legendary for his signature blender concoction utilizing his love of Blue Bell Ice Cream to create what became simply known as “Banana Things.” Charlie was always quick to note that it was five o’clock somewhere.
A traditional Viking funeral had been originally planned for Charlie, but Montgomery County officials hurriedly enacted a burn ban. Instead, a memorial service will be held Wednesday, January 9 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Beaumont with fellowship following. Arrangements are under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont.
Charlie’s survivors include his loving wife of 49 years, Ida McFaddin Pyle; his sister, Mary Lee Gunberg of Temple; daughter, Mary Pyle Murphy and husband Terry of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; son, Charles Pyle, Jr. and wife Traci of Brenham; and daughter, Eugenia Pyle Liese and husband Kurt of Coppell. Charlie was blessed with nine grandchildren, Kathryn and Thomas Murphy, Perri, Paige, Jacob and Julianna Pyle, and Ryan, Jack and William Liese. He is predeceased by his parents and his brother, Harold Pyle.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843; St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder, Beaumont, Texas 77702; All Saint’s Episcopal School, 4108 Delaware, Beaumont, Texas 77706; the Texas Heart Institute in Houston, P O Box 20345, Houston, Texas 77225; or Basset Buddies Rescue of Texas, P O Box 130244, Houston, Texas 77219.
