Charles E Venable

Charles Edward Venable, 90, of Rogers passed away April 20, 2021. He was born February 8, 1931 in Tyler, Texas to the late Robert S. and Willie Lee Venable. Mr. Venable was also preceded by his only sister, Bobbie Golden.

Charles is survived by his wife, Evelylee Harvill Venable of the home; their son, Robert E. Venable of Lawrence, Michigan; 2 grandsons, Jonathan Venable of Lawrence, Michigan and Stephen Venable of Detroit, Michigan; extended family and dear friends.

Charles grew up in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas area where he graduated from high school in 1948, then attended Arkansas A&M College in Monticello, Arkansas for 2 years before serving in the US Air Force during the Korean War from early 1951 until early 1955. While serving, he married the love of his life, Evelylee on December 6, 1951.

Following his military service, he enrolled at the University of Arkansas in 1955 to continue pursuing his degree in Civil Engineering and received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

After graduation in 1959, he began his career with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department in Little Rock. Charles worked in several divisions while employed and on January 1, 1988, he was promoted to Chief Engineer and served in that position until his retirement on January 31, 1994.

Following his retirement, he and Evelylee moved to Rogers but he did not stay unemployed very long. The City of Fayetteville under Mayor Fred Hanna hired him to work as Assistant Public Works Director in late 1994. He was promoted to serve as Public Works Director until his second retirement, on January 1, 2001. Charles also was employed as an Adjunct Professor in Civil Engineering at the University of Arkansas for several semesters.

Charles was a Registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor. He served on several committees of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials during his career. He also served on the Arkansas State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors from 1987-1995. Charles was also a member of the National Council of Examiners for engineering and surveying; Transportation Research Board; Arkansas State Land Surveyors Advisory Board; American Public Works Association; the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineering; Tau Beta Pi; Chi Epsilon, Arkansas Chapter and several other boards and clubs.

He enjoyed traveling and, with his wife Evelylee, visited 48 of the 50 states and several countries in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Charles was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Rogers where he and Evelylee had many friends and fellow Christians.

Services will be held Thursday, April 22, 2021 at First Baptist Church, 3364 W Pleasant Grove Rd in Rogers. Visitation will begin at 12:15pm followed by his Funeral Service at 1:00pm. A private interment will be held. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church, 3364 W Pleasant Grove Rd, Rogers, AR 72758 or FBCRogers.org Arrangements are under the care of Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. Condolences may be expressed at www.RollinsFuneral.com