Charles E Condrey

Charles was the devoted husband of Joy Condrey for 74 years, from August 1948 to her death in July 2022, and father to three children, Tana Kent of Wimberley, Texas, Coby Condrey of Denton, Texas, and Ben Condrey of Lubbock.

Born on April 22, 1929, Charles grew up in Mt. Vernon, Texas, as the adopted son of Escholl Condrey and Maudie Mae Condrey and brother of James Condrey and Elizabeth Garretson. He met the love of his life, Sylvia Joy Johnson, in 1947 and married her in 1948. He began working on oil rigs offshore near Houston and in New Mexico. In 1952 he and Joy had a baby, Jimmy Charles Condrey, who died shortly after birth. He served his country in the United States Army from 1952-1954 and was deployed in Germany. His first daughter, Tana, was born in 1954 while he was still stationed overseas. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to New Mexico to continue working in the oil industry. After a work-related injury, he and Joy decided to pursue better opportunities in Lubbock, Texas, where he completed an associate degree in business and eventually became a cotton merchant with the Lubbock Cotton Exchange for the remainder of his career. His sons, Coby and Ben were born in 1963 and 1966, respectively. He and Joy loved being parents and spent many happy hours with their family learning about the world, modeling for their children both self-sufficiency and the importance of nurturing others.

Charles was born shortly before the onset of the Great Depression and alongside his wife was very conscientious about providing financial stability for his family and being generous to relatives or friends in need. As a teenager, he helped his family by driving a milk truck, picking up and delivering full barrels, and driving a full route before going to school in the morning. He did his own home and auto repairs, and for a while in the 1970’s did extra work as a home renovator.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife Joy in 2022, and this loss was one that robbed him of much of the purpose and pleasure in his life. He was further beset by health problems and chronic discomfort. While his passing is indeed sad for his family and friends, it also marks an end to a long period of decline and a release from physical and emotional pain. May he rest in peace, reunited with his wife and loved ones who have passed before him.

His survivors include all three of his children; descendants based in Austin, Texas: granddaughter Claire Ellen Kent, grandson-in-law Paul Groepler, great-granddaughter Aurelia Rose Joy Groepler (of whom he was very proud), grandsons Sean Colin Kent and Brandon Clark Kent; his beloved sister-in-law Rowena (Doe) Hopkins of Pilot Point, Texas, and Sonia (Butchie) Evans of Lubbock, many nephews and nieces, and friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 9:00 AM- 11:00 AM in the Abby Chapel at Resthaven, 5740 19th St, Lubbock, TX.