Charles Victor Isaac

Charles (Charlie) Victor Isaac, age 96, passed peacefully surrounded by the love and prayers of his family at home on April 13, 2024. Charlie was born in Homestead, PA on July 25, 1927, to Mansour (Victor) Isaac and Helen Ryczek. At the age of two, Charlie and his older brother Edward were taken to meet their father’s family in their ancestral homeland of Ramallah, Palestine. They ultimately stayed in Ramallah living there until Charlie was 17 years old. He spoke often of his years there as “the best years of his life”. Although his time in Ramallah was during the great depression and basics were scarce, the memories he shared always brought a smile to his face. He was able to visit his beloved Ramallah at the age of 92 reuniting with many family members who remain there. At the age of 17, he returned to Pennsylvania to complete his high school education at Munhall High school and graduated in 1946. Upon graduation and being of draft age he enlisted with the Marine Corps, something he took tremendous pride in. He earned the rank of Corporal, specializing as a machine gun crewman and sharpshooter. He was stationed at the Marine Barracks aka “8th and I”, in Washington, DC. He was selected as an Honor Guard for foreign dignitaries and ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery under President Harry Truman during World War II.

After his service in the military, he returned to Homestead and worked in the Pennsylvania steel mills and building railroads for a short time. Opportunity brought him to Texas where he began a family tradition of selling dry goods. He began as a peddler selling to farm workers throughout Texas. Acting on a “tip” from a family friend and confirmed by his Uncle regarding a beautiful girl of marrying age, he would ultimately find his way to Matamoros Mexico where he met and married his heart and soul of 67 years, Rebeca Georgette Masso on January 27, 1957. They had 6 children together and built a family that he lauded as his most valued treasure. Georgette and Charlie started their business venture together opening their first retail clothing store, El Capitan in Lubbock, Texas in the mid 1950s. Peddling in the surrounding towns during the peak farming months, Charlie astutely saw great potential for a business in Muleshoe, Texas. They then built and opened The Fair Store, in 1961. They were proud to serve the braceros and farm laborer community in the area, dressing them and the whole town up with boots, jeans, hats, and western wear. Charlie was known for his wisdom and willingness to advise friends and family on everything from raising kids to running a business. Many of his “counseling sessions” occurred in the boot department of the store. There were always a couple of chairs welcoming anyone who wanted to hear a story or get some advice. He loved getting up and going to work, he would open early and stay as late as his customers needed him. He spent the early years in the business opening 7 days a week to service his customers who worked the farms and only had Sundays off to shop. It was not uncommon for him to get a call late at night by a customer needing to buy some clothes for an unexpected event. He was always happy to accommodate. Due to his declining health in the recent years, he was forced to retire at the age of 93. He shut the doors one last time to the Fair Store after nearly 60 years of business and moved to live his last few years in Lubbock.

During his time in Muleshoe, Charlie was involved in the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and for many years a member of the Muleshoe Country Club. He was not a golfer but was always up for a friendly game of poker with “the boys” when they made it back to the clubhouse.

Charlie was larger than life and lived it to the absolute fullest! He loved fishing, hunting, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and entertaining family and friends. He taught his sons and grandsons to hunt and fish and instilled in all his family the importance of a good education and hard work. He loved spending time with his friends at the coffee shop or having a drink at their so called “board meetings.” He is known for being the life of the party, a great storyteller, adviser, dabke (Arabic dance) leader, and he had an amazing sense of humor. Among his many attributes, his most important was his ability to make each person he encountered feel his love for them. He made you feel part of his world and his family. He often told family and friends they were his favorite. When pushed on how that many people could be his favorite he would respond “they are my favorite in their own way.” Charlie will be most remembered for his love of life and infectious smile, and his legacy will live on through his beautiful family.

Charlie is preceded in death by his parents Mansour and Helen Isaac, his brother Edward (Helen) and his daughter in law Tammy (John). He is survived by his wife, Georgette, his six devoted children – Cindy Fitzgerald (Bryan), Elizabeth Isaac, Christine Bonatakis (John), Michael Isaac (Marci), John Isaac, and Debbie Jones (Kyle), one sister- Dolores Abdelnour (George), two brothers Richard Isaac (Alice Jayne), and Lawrence Isaac, 29 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 3 sister in-laws, one brother-in-law, and a multitude of nieces and nephews and many friends who loved and adored him. Eternal rest grant unto our beloved Charlie, Oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Visitation with the Isaac Family will begin at 6:00PM on Friday, April 19,2024 at Resthaven Funeral Home & Memorial Park 5740 W 19th St. Lubbock, TX 79407. A Rosary and opportunity to share memories of Charlie begins at 7:00 PM.

A mass of Christian burial will occur Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Christ the King Cathedral, 4011 54th Street, Lubbock, Texas. Charlie will be laid to rest in Resthaven Memorial Park, 5740 19th St., Lubbock, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church at 6104 66th St., Suite 100, Lubbock, TX 79424.