Harry Charles, 84, of Nederland died July 12, 2011, at Medical Center of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur. A native of San Antonio, he had been a resident of Southeast Texas since 1950.
Harry graduated from Harlandale High School in San Antonio in 1944. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he attended and received a bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and later a master’s degree from VanderCook in Chicago. He was a retired band director, having begun his teaching career in Highland Park ISD in Dallas. He later started the junior high band in Nederland for three years and the junior high band in Port Neches for twenty-five years. After leaving band in 1976, he worked with the self-contained history and English special education unit in Port Neches-Groves High School and the English as a Second Language program at Port Neches Middle School. He also taught the PRIDE gifted and talented programs in Port Neches Middle School.
After retirement, Harry set up the first middle and elementary school computer labs in PNG ISD and did the teacher computer training in PNG ISD. He also taught computer classes for the Continuing Education Department at Lamar University and at many band camps around the state. He was an original member of the Beaumont Symphony. Harry also worked with many area volunteer organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Rooting for America, and the Port Arthur Library computer lab working with people studying for the GED. Over the years, he was a member of professional organizations some of which were the Texas State Teachers Association, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Texas Retired Teachers Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Texas Educators for Speakers of Other Languages, among others. He also belonged to several honorary organizations such as American School Band Directors Association, Phi Mu Alpha, and lifetime member of Parent/Teachers Association.
Harry is survived by his wife of over fifty years, Belva Charles; son and daughter-in-law, Cary and Katherine Charles; and two grandchildren, Taylor and Tracy Charles. Other survivors include a cousin, Joseph Chafetz and his family of Austin; several other cousins; nephews, Marvin Goodman and his family and Frank Charles and his family both of San Antonio, and niece, Mona Charles of Kalispell, Montana.
Harry was preceded in death by his beloved parents; a sister and brother; and a wonderful daughter, Claire Ellen Charles.
His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2011, at Broussard’s, 505 12th Street, Nederland with burial to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches. A gathering of his family and friends will be Thursday, July 14, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Broussard’s.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., 3730 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77098.
