Charles Douglas Glass, 81, of Beaumont, died Monday, January 4, 2010, at Memorial Hermann Beaumont Baptist Hospital. Born in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, on August 28, 1928, Charles was the youngest child of James Arthur Glass and Bess Duncan Glass. He was raised in a loving family which included his older brother Harold and the eldest of the three Glass children, daughter Helen.
Charles attended Texas A&M University and graduated with an agricultural engineering degree in 1949. In 1949, he moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana to begin a life-long career for Gulf States Utilities. Charles was called away shortly thereafter to serve in the Air Force and he was stationed in Mineral Wells., Texas. He returned to Gulf States Utilities; this time working in Lafayette. He always appreciated the beauty and culture of Southern Louisiana, and was appointed “Honorary Cajun” by his close friends and co-workers at the time. In 1960, he married Gretchen Elkins of Lake Charles, with whom he had three daughters, Jennifer, Rebecca, and Stephanie.
In 1971, as part of a promotion, Charles moved his family to Beaumont, Texas, where he remained until the end of his life. He retired from Gulf States as Vice-President of Operations forty-four years later with fond memories and dear friends.
Charles felt civic participation and community support was part of a successful life. He was a long-time Rotarian and a Diamond Member of the Beaumont A&M Club. He was an active member of the Texas Association of Business and was honored to serve as Chairman of the Association in 1990. He served in other organizations and associations, always with an appreciation of the experiences and friends each one brought into his life.
During his retirement he continued to be active in the community. His favorite past times where golf and fishing. For many years he had season tickets to the Lutcher Theatre in Orange and the Theatre Under the Stars in Houston. He was also a regular at Lamar University basketball games and the Lamarissimo Concert Series performances. Every year, he also coordinated his high school class reunion. Charles was a beloved member of Calder Baptist Church.
Through each phase of his life, Charles met and made close friends. He had a genuine interest in people and their individual life experiences and histories. He made the time to keep in touch with everyone he befriended. He will be missed equally by his childhood friends in Mount Pleasant, his Aggie buddies, his beaucoup Louisiana amis, and his many, many close friends here in Beaumont.
Charles’ daughters knew him to be the best father in the whole world. The unconditional love and support he showed each of them throughout his lifetime was the greatest earthly example of God’s love and guidance. He taught them that the simple things in life are the most important; to be a good friend, and a good laugh does wonders for any situation. Most every weekday morning, each of the girls talked to their father on the phone no matter where they were. Charles’ called this his daily trifecta. He will be missed by his daughters each day of their lives and they are blessed and honored to be his girls.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents and both his older brother and sister. He is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Mayer and her husband Greg, Rebecca May and her husband John, and Stephanie Flatten and her husband Eric; and the two great joys of his life, his two grandchildren, Hadley Elizabeth May, and Charles Matthew May.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 9, 2010, at Calder Baptist Church with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of his family and friends will be 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 8, 2010, at Broussard’s.
The family of Charles Glass would like to thank the ICU nurses and staff of Baptist Memorial Hospital. The nurses’ meticulous care of Charles Glass and their consideration and thoughtfulness of his friends and family was a great comfort during a difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North Eleventh Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702, 409/892-4251; or the charity of your choice.
