Charles E. Zirkelback

Charles Emmet Zirkelback, 77, died peacefully in his sleep on July 8, 2016 in Port Lavaca, Texas after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Maria Ramirez Zirkelback, daughters Anne Marie (Jamie) Odefey of Port Lavaca and Nicole (K.C.) Martin of Marietta, Georgia, and granddaughters Alexis Marie Odefey, Alexandra Reagan Martin, and Katherine Camilla Martin.

Charlie, as he liked to be called, was born on April 15, 1939 in Pascagoula, Mississippi. After becoming a pilot instructor in Florida, he aspired to pursue a career in engineering and supported himself to do so by working on shrimping vessels. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 1965 and later earned a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Houston-Victoria.

Working for Texaco, he met Maria Elodia Ramirez in Roma, Texas and married her months later on June 3, 1966. Shortly after their wedding, he began his 39 year career at Union Carbide Seadrift Operations, later Dow Chemical, eventually ascending to Corporate Fellow, the highest technical level in the corporation. Through his Union Carbide career, he traveled extensively, having lived in Brazil for a year and traveling throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

In addition career pursuits, Charlie served the community in many ways. He was elected as a Port Lavaca city councilman, serving for 13 years, and was eventually elected mayor pro tempore by the city council. His tenure with the council saw the building of Bauer Community Center, Lighthouse Beach and Bird Sanctuary, and many other improvements in the community. He proudly served the community in the Port Lavaca Noonday Lions Club. A longtime parishioner of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, he volunteered his time and talents to the church community and converted to Catholicism in his later years.

Many may remember Charlie as an avid runner. Often accompanied by his Yorkshire terrier Brutus, he frequented the Calhoun High School track, the streets of Port Lavaca, or wherever he happened to be travelling, and competed in numerous races. He continued to run even after receiving the devastating diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

Pallbearers will be K.C. Martin, Jamie Odefey, Luis Ramirez, Jorge Ramirez, James Dio, and David Roberts. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul D. “Donnie” Baker, Richard Barton, Dr. D. Paul Bunnell, Russell Cain, Joseph “Bubba” Geffert, and Jay “Coach” Spears.

On Monday, July 11, the family will receive visitors beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by a rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home at 123 Newlin St., Port Lavaca. A memorial service will take place Tuesday, July 12, at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church at 415 W. Austin St., Port Lavaca, at 10:00 a.m. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Pascagoula, Mississippi. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to the capital campaign of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church.