Charles Robert Fairchild

Charles Robert Fairchild passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at the age of 87 with his wife, two daughters and son-in-law at his side. Charles was born in Fort Worth on June 25, 1935, the second of three sons to Claire Gilbert Fairchild and Vivian Morrow Fairchild.

The Fairchilds moved to Austin in the 1940s where, as a boy, Charles became a lifelong University of Texas Longhorn fan. He enrolled at UT Austin in the School of Engineering, but after a few years he decided to take a break and enlisted in the Army. Charles served for two years, spending most of his time in Korea shortly after the Korean War had ended. When his service concluded, the Army urged him to re-enlist but he declined because he wanted to get back to Austin and finish school. He returned to UT and received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and later, his Certified Public Accounting license.

Charles met Diana Mignon Henry in December of 1960 and they quickly fell in love, marrying five months later on June 2,1961. He was offered a job with Texas Electric Service Company after finishing college in 1962, so Charles and Diana left Austin and moved to West Texas. He would start his long career, which would span thirty years of service to the same company, and together they would start a family, having three girls, before returning to Fort Worth in 1972.

After retiring from Texas Utilities Fuel Company in 1992, Charles continued working as a volunteer for AARP providing tax aid to individuals in need, and as an instructor training other tax aid volunteers. It required an enormous amount of time, which he selflessly performed for over two decades. Charles also volunteered his time at Trinity Episcopal Church, serving on the finance committee and during Sunday services as well. When it wasn’t tax season, he enjoyed playing golf, watching football and being a proud and supportive grandfather to his five grandchildren, attending many of their various activities.

Charles served his country, family, company, community and church with a sense of duty and devotion his entire life. He will fondly be remembered as a loving and caring husband, terrific role-model and patient, loving father, and amazing grandfather by his family. By all who knew him, he will be remembered as an honorable, compassionate and kind man.

Charles was preceded in death by his daughter Meredith Claire Fairchild. He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Diana Henry Fairchild; daughters Allison Fairchild Basile (son-in-law Michael Victor Basile) and Whitney Fairchild Drennan; grandchildren Victoria Mignon Basile (husband Albert Bruce Ortiz), Alexandra Claire Basile, Camryn Michelle Basile, Ryan Patrick Drennan, Logan James Drennan; and great-grandson Declan Ryan Drennan.

Funeral services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 3401 Bellaire Dr S in Fort Worth, on Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, or to a charity of your choosing.