Charles Cristol

Charles Stanley Cristol was born on July 19, 1919 and sadly passed away from a stroke on Sunday, August 19, 2012. He was born in San Antonio, the son of Louis and Frieda Cristol. His family, sister Bernice and brothers Marcus, Joe and David moved to Ft. Worth where he graduated from high school at the age of sixteen. He enrolled at Texas A&M for one year, then convinced his father to let him enlist in the Air Force in 1940 as a flying cadet at the age of 20. After attending navigation school in Florida and training with Pan American Airways, he headed visual education for the Navigation Division of the Air Force and was elevated to the Staff of the Assistant Chief of Air Force Training in New York City. Discharged from the Air Force as a Lt Colonel, he graduated from University of California at Berkeley and received a Master’s Degree in Retailing at New York University. Charles moved to Dallas in 1955 and became the shoe buyer at Levine’s Department Stores. When Levine’s was bought out by Zale Corporation he became Vice President in charge of Footwear. In 1976 at the ripe age of 57, Charles started Foot Action, the athletic footwear retail chain that he sold in 1991 to the Melville Corporation. As we like to joke, Charlie never met a charity he didn’t like and was a benefactor to Parkland Hospital, Air Force Foundation, Old Red Museum of History and Culture and Temple Emanu-El, just to name a few. He was a beloved husband and father and is survived by his wife Gerry, daughters Freda Heald and husband John; and Amy Hirsch and partner Judy Knowles; and his 7 amazing and wonderful grandchildren: Ryan, Melissa, Megan, Michael, Reed, Leah and Ilana. Services for Mr. Cristol will be held at Temple Emanu-El Olan Sanctuary at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 with interment at Temple Emanu-El Cemetery in Dallas with Rabbi David Stern officiating. Please visit www.sparkman-hillcrest.com.