Charles Henry Noble Jr.

Charles H. Noble, Jr. died Friday, January 24, 2025, at age 95. Charlie was preceded in death by his loving wife of more than 66 years, Sara McNeel, with whom he shared an unwavering belief in their savior, Jesus Christ and an exceptional love and devotion to each other lasting for the balance of their lives.

Charlie was born January 21, 1930, to Elsie Louise Pancoast and Col. Charles H. Noble in Washington D.C. He grew up as an “Army brat”, attending army post schools in Forts Riley, Leavenworth, Bliss, and Knox. He graduated from San Antonio Academy in 1943 and, as a boarding student, from Texas Military Institute in 1947. Charlie was one of a group of TMI seniors who enlisted as privates in the Army National Guard, 36th Infantry Division, in 1946.

Charlie’s family ties to San Antonio date back to 1853, when the Pancoast branch of his family arrived, eventually becoming one of the first families to live in the King William area. His family has long been central to the growth of the city: his grandfather, Aaron C. Pancoast was a Bexar County Engineer who, among other projects, built a road to the then-new community of Alamo Heights – a street now known as Broadway. Charlie’s father, Col. Charles H. Noble was one of the army officers that founded the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) in 1922. In 2022, Charlie represented his father at their banquet to commemorate the 100th Anniversary.

Charlie’s family history of military service runs even further back, with a continuous line of army officers beginning in the Revolutionary War. Among many family members, are a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and a West Point graduate. Charlie’s own military service included the completion of his Naval ROTC scholarship at Rice University, where, as a naval midshipman he had the unusual experience of helping sink the Battleship Nevada at the Bikini Atolls while aboard the Battleship Iowa. He graduated from Rice University with Honors in Business Administration and Economics in 1951 and took a commission in the U. S. Marines as a second lieutenant. His career included special recognition for placing first in his class of 347 second lieutenants in his Marine Corps Basic School for Officers in Quantico VA, as well as several awards for skills in rifle and pistol marksmanship. During wartime in Korea, he flew 110 missions as an artillery forward observer and artillery aerial observer for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Upon returning to flight training in Pensacola, where he was first in his class in aerobatics, Charlie was involved in a mid-air collision during a six plane formation forcing him to bail out of his aircraft and parachute to safety resulting in his membership in the Caterpillar Club. Having a commercial pilots license, Charlie was later a member of the Civil Air Patrol an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, completing his membership in all four branches of the armed services.

After returning to San Antonio, perhaps the most pivotal moment in Charlie’s life came in 1954 at the Opening German Dance, where he was matched with a young debutante, Sara McNeel. Theirs was a genuine "love at first sight" relationship; they were already discussing marriage one week after their first date and married less than four months later at Christ Episcopal Church on February 4, 1955. Always a focus for Charlie, the family enjoyed extensive travels, including summers in Colorado and Laguna Beach and other vacations to Europe, China, and India.

Charlie’s civilian career began with the Texas Highway Department, where he helped establish the first appraisal department, which helped acquire property for the development of the Interstate Highway system. He later formed the appraisal firm Noble & Associates, Inc. Two of his sons, Hank and Sam later joined the ranks and were President and Vice President of the firm which continues today following Charlie’s retirement at the age of 90. The firm now led by Sam continues Charlie’s legacy of appraisal services for many types of properties primarily in South Texas, but also throughout the country. Major projects over the years included the USAA Headquarters building, Enchanted Rock State Park, as well as thousands of other commercial and ranch properties. Charlie was recognized as an industry leader through his roles in multiple professional organizations. He was President of the South Texas Chapter of the Appraisal Institute MAI, President of the San Antonio Chapter of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers SREA, Certified Property Manager CPM, and a Real Estate Counselor CRE. He was also an engaged ranch owner, with several large and small properties throughout the state.

Charlie was an active participant in San Antonio’s civic life. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for San Antonio Academy and was an honored recipient of the Colonel W.T. Bondurant, Sr. Distinguished Humanitarian Award and was also named as a Distinguished Graduate. Additionally, he served on various committees for TMI and was inducted into the TMI Hall of Fame in 2020. He was a member of Rotary Club of San Antonio, Food for the Poor, San Antonio Area Foundation, and the Boy Scouts of America – each of his three sons and five grandsons became Eagle Scouts. He was an engaged member of the German Club, the Order of the Alamo, the San Antonio Country Club, Club Giraud, the Argyle Club, Blue Wing Club, and the American Legion. He also served on the Board of Elders of Concordia Lutheran Church, and later as a member of the Vestry of All Saints Anglican Church.

Charlie is survived by his four children: Charles “Hank” Henry III (Polly); Donald Pancoast (Liesl); Laura Leigh; and Samuel Maverick (Sharon); his eight grandchildren Margaret McNeel Noe (William), Charles Henry Noble IV (Christina), Samuel Maverick Noble, Jr., Marshall Ivey Noble (Amy), Emily Louise Noble, Virginia Augusta Noble, Cooper Pancoast Noble, and Walker Macdaniel Noble; and five great-grandchildren: William Gray Noe, Jr., Palmer Henry Noe, Scarlett Maverick Noe, Philippa Inzer Noe, and Charles Henry Noble V, with a sixth great-grandchild expected in June. His wife, Sara, and his great grandchild, Scarlett McNeel Noe, preceded him in death.

Special appreciation is remembered for Lucy Marroquin, who served the family for more than 35 years. The family wishes to thank goddaughter Ellen Cotton for her selfless devotion and service to Charlie in his final month.

A Funeral Service for Charles will be held Friday, January 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212.

The Venerable Isaac J. Rehberg, officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren. An interment with full Marine honors will take place at San Jose Burial Park on Saturday, February 1, 2025 beginning at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the San Antonio Academy, 117 E. French Pl, San Antonio, Texas 78212; the Texas Military Institute, 20955 W. Tejas Trail San Antonio, Texas 78257; or the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle, VA 22172.