Charles Robert Peck

Charles was born on May 29, 1938 to J. O. and Janet Jenkins Peck in Fort Worth, Texas. His lovely and musical mother, adored by all, passed away when Charles was only three. Catherine “Kitty” Peck embraced the role of stepmother, loving him wholeheartedly and raising him with his father from the time he was four years old.

His childhood was filled with music, nurturing a life-long love of classical music, as his mother was a professional flutist who had performed in the Fort Worth Symphony. Being from Fort Worth, his tastes expanded to country music and more. He had an encyclopedic mind for music, even sharing lyrics of key songs with the health care staff at MD Anderson.

Growing up, Charles was particularly close to his first cousin on his mother’s side, Catherine “Booty” Fulghum Jones, and they enjoyed their time together as young children playing in the home of their grandmother “Gigi.” He and Booty and their spouses remained close and enjoyed numerous family gatherings and visits to the Radio Music Theater over the years.

Charles graduated from Fort Worth’s Amon Carter-Riverside High School in 1956. It was there that he met the love of his life, Barbara Ann Bramlett. He and Barbara both attended the University of Texas at Austin. Charles earned his B.S. in Petroleum Engineering in 1961, developing a deep and life-long affection for the University. He truly enjoyed his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and being a member of its singing group.

Charles and Barbara married on August 3,1957, after their first year at university. This year they celebrated 67 years of marriage. All of their family and friends know their marriage was epic and set an example for us all, as their love and devotion for each other – and their true enjoyment of each other’s company – was evident to everyone.

Charles’s profession, which he enjoyed immensely, took him to Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Odessa and Iraan, Texas, Hobbs, New Mexico, Cork, Ireland, Lafayette, Louisiana, and Houston, Texas as he worked in petroleum and drilling engineering for Dowell, Marathon Oil, Petroleum Engineers, Inc., and Cleveland-Cliffs. He also worked temporarily in Venezuela and St. Thomas. He made many cherished friends during his long, successful and satisfying career.

Indeed, Charles enjoyed the gifts of natural friendliness, empathy and humor. Telling jokes was a particular talent, as he was known for sharing humorous stories and yarns with all his friends. But the twinkle in his eye and his hearty laugh were always imbued with kindness, and he was generous with a compassionate ear as well as being willing to help wherever he could. He was also humble, so much so that many of his friends may not have known of his athletic prowess. He excelled in track, baseball, basketball, and football in high school, and eventually picked up handball, racquetball, bowling, tennis, and golf, which was his passion for many years.

Reading was another passion, as well as playing bridge and following many sports, but especially those of the Texas Longhorns. He also was a talented cook, making a mean jambalaya – and his homemade dressing was always requested by the family at Thanksgiving.

While in Houston, he became a member of the Pine Forest County Club, which became like a second home to him. Regular card games were not to be missed, and Charles enjoyed organizing and participating in numerous other activities at the Club. He considered the members and staff to be an extension of his family.

We are all better people for knowing Charles.

The family is forever grateful for the expert and compassionate care from the physicians, nurses, and staff at MD Anderson, Davita Dialysis, and Eagle’s Trace Skilled Nursing.

Charles was predeceased by his parents and stepmother, J. O. and Janet Jenkins Peck and Catherine “Kitty” Peck, and his brother-in-law, Kenneth Bramlett. He is survived by his loving wife Barbara Ann Bramlett Peck, son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Karen Peck, son and daughter-in-law Christopher and Mary Peck, grandchildren Caroline Peck Quoyeser and husband Alexander Quoyeser, Alec Peck, Daniel Peck, and Charles F. Peck, sister-in-law Carol Bramlett, and nephews Robert Bramlett and Brian Bramlett.

A Memorial Service will be held in the Sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Methodist

Church, 5501 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77004 on Monday, November 25th at 11:00

a.m., with a reception to follow in the church parlor.

For those who desire, donations in Charles’ memory may be made to the Charles and Barbara Peck Endowed Scholarship at the University of Texas. The fund was created in 2006 with the purpose of providing scholarships each year to engineering and education students with financial need primarily from the Houston area.