Charles Franklin Lisman, III, born on July 11, 1938, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, December 13. He was 70 years old.
A 1956 graduate of Beaumont High School, Charles entered the U.S. Air Force the following June at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Upon acceptance to the United States Air Force Band, he was transferred to Keesler A.F.B. in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he began an illustrious career as a musician.
During his military career, he played clarinet in the Officer’s and Airman’s Club and in the Mobile Symphony. Additionally, he played second clarinet in the New Orleans Civic Opera, played two years on Bourbon Street, and played in jazz sessions at Dan’s Pier 600 Club. In 1960, he was selected to play in the Air Force Worldwide Band Clinic in San Antonio. He met his wife, Joan Andrea (Leavell) Lisman while playing in a production of “The Micado.” They wed in January of 1965 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Beaumont and would have celebrated their 44th anniversary in January of 2009.
Charles graduated from Lamar University in August of 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in music and continued playing professionally until 1971. In 1972, he received his master’s degree in music from the University of Houston and accepted the position of Band/Orchestra Director at Beaumont High School, where he continued receiving accolades and awards for his successful, career-winning marching band and jazz ensembles.
Aside from his many accomplishments as a musician, what Charles is best known for is his sharp wit and appreciation of humor. Never one to pass on a good joke, he kept everyone who knew him in stitches whether on purpose or not. He shared his love when he shared the punchline. Because his family was the most important aspect of his life, he will always be remembered as a loving father, his wife’s number one fan, and a brother who was always in touch.
Charles is preceded in death by his father, Charles F. Lisman, II and his mother, Jeanette Fields. Charles is survived by his wife, Joan, his three children, Charles F. Lisman, IV, Tracy Scholz, and Katherine Burkholder, his grandchildren Savannah and Chase Scholz, his sister Leah Monticello, and brothers Mike and John Fields.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont, with burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service at the Mortuary.
