Charles Albert Lauritzen

Charles was born in the east Texas town of Broaddus on March 17, 1930 to Thorvald and Georgia Bell Lauritzen, the first of four siblings.

Following his graduation from Hot Wells High School he attended San Antonio Junior College before entering the Army in June of 1951. During his time in the Army he was stationed at Fort Sam Houston serving in the military intelligence division providing assistance to the U.S. Air Force. Charles was honorably discharged from the Army in November of 1956 having reached the rank of Private First Class.

After completing his military service, he enrolled in school at the University of Texas at Austin earning a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Civil Engineering along with a degree in Architecture.

With his schooling completed, Charles began a ten-year stint working for the Texas Highway Department in Austin. The family eventually relocated to Houston where Charles secured a position as a facilities engineer at NASA where he worked for 32 years until his retirement.

Charles married Frances Anderson on December 23,1954 and that union produced three children. Frances passed away in 1983 following a courageous battle with cancer.

On July 12, 1985, Charles married Shelba Smith White whom he faithfully loved and cared for until his passing.

Charles is survived by Shelba, his wife of 35 years, along with children Carl and Cindy of Pasadena, Texas and Clarence and wife Rhonda of Bridge City, Texas. He is also survived by stepchildren Victor White and wife Heidi, Donna Henson and husband Rob, Bobby White and wife Amanda, all of Deer Park, Texas. His brother Louis and sister Rose also survive his passing. Numerous grandchildren and step grandchildren mourn his passing, Brittany Lauritzen, David White, Natalie Lay, Caleb White, Joel Henson, Taylor Henson, Paige Lay, Evan White and Emily Day. These join eleven great grandchildren that comprise the family that dearly loved Charles and he in turn loved them.

Charles was a member of the Southside Church of Christ in Pasadena, Texas. His faith was strong and his dedication to Jesus Christ was firm. While we will miss Charles and mourn his passing we do not do so as those that have no hope. We are confident we will see him again someday.

The family would like to express our deep appreciation for the loving, tender care provided by the staff at Serenity Gardens Memory Care facility. They were a true blessing to Charles over the last several months.