T'Odon Charles Leshikar Jr.

Chuck was born on January 10, 1946, in Austin, Texas at the “old” St. David's Hospital. He died on December 17, 2020, of an apparent heart attack. He was one of four Leshikar children, two brothers and two sisters: Terri, Chuck, Nancy Kay and Ivan. He attended Austin High School and played football for the Austin High Maroons, graduating in 1964. He and his brother, Ivan, were both proud Eagle Scouts. His mother and father were married in All Saints Episcopal Church and Chuck always boasted of 9 straight years of perfect attendance in Sunday School classes there.

He graduated from the University of Texas with a BBA in accounting and St. Edward’s University with an MBA and also passed the CPA exam. His university career was interrupted by his military service in the Army. His freshman year at the University of Texas was noteworthy because he got to walk on to the UT football team and play some for Coach Darrell Royal. He volunteered for the Army thinking that he would rather fly helicopters than worry about grades and, besides, he could only spend so much time fishing at Mansfield Dam. However, his duty assignment in the Army was the infantry.

Chuck served honorably in the Army, completing Officer Candidate Training School, Airborne School, Pathfinder School, Ranger School, Jungle Warfare School, Special Forces Qualifications Course, and 4.2” Mortar Platoon Leader School. As a 2nd Lt., Chuck went to Viet Nam on June 13, 1968, and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. He served with the “Delta Raiders,” D (Delta) Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Airborne Infantry Regiment (D/2/501) where he served until January 1969 when he became Echo Company Commander. While in Viet Nam, Chuck was awarded the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars (2 with “V” Distinctions), the Soldiers Medal, the Purple Heart and several Vietnamese medals. His association with the members of the Delta Raiders continued after Viet Nam with each member like a brother to him. He loved the men of that company and their families, and his times spent with them since Viet Nam helped him with the PTSD that he suffered since his service days. The support of those men and the bond they had was an unexpected gift from a horrific period of time.

After the military, Chuck and partners started and operated a bottling software company (Digatex) and installed systems around the world. Selling his interest in that Company freed him up to open a retail flooring company which he later sold to a larger Dallas firm. Ultimately, Chuck became interested in driving horses using a horse shown by his daughter in riding competitions. His interest then turned to Cowboy Action Shooting. He and his wife, Nancy, built a cowboy action shooting venue near Lockhart and operated Agarita Ranch for several years. Finally, Chuck was ready to retire and spend his time on his and Nancy’s land near Lockhart. On that land, he leaves behind the animals he loved: longhorns, horses, a donkey, chickens, pigeons (the type of birds he raised as a young boy), cats and dogs.

Chuck is survived by his best friend and wife, Nancy; his son, T.C. Leshikar, III; his daughter, Jamie Leshikar and her partner Cody Budua; his sisters and brothers-in-law – Terri and Jay Caldwell, Nancy Kay and Mark Hebert; niece Emily Arsers and her husband, Michael; nephews Scott Hebert, Trey Caldwell and David Leshikar and his wife Holly; and sister-in-law, Laura Leshikar, and a number of cousins with whom he was particularly close. He was preceded in death by his brother, Ivan, and his nephew, “little Ivan.” His and Nancy’s 46th anniversary would have been on January 31, 2021. His death leaves behind devastated family and friends.

***SERVICES HAVE BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL A LATER DATE*** Interment of his ashes will be at 11 A.M. on January 10, 2021, at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Smithville. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 P.M. on that same day at his home in Lockhart.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any equine-assisted PTSD therapy organization, to any “no-kill” animal shelter, or to any veteran assistance program of your choice.