Charles Septimus Longcope

November 19, 1937 --- July 27, 2020

Charles Loncope, Jr., 82, has passed away following a short, but valiant, battle with gastrointestinal cancer. He was a fourth generation native Texan, born in Midland, but spent most of his youth in Brownwood, graduating from Brownwood High School in 1956. He enjoyed his high school years, as he was involved with student activities, including the golf team and being elected a cheerleader, and he bonded very closely with the other five cheerleaders. After high school he attended Trinity University his first year, before transferring to UT Austin and Texas Tech in Lubbock. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He received his secondary teaching accreditation from Sam Houston University in Huntsville, TX.

He was a totally devoted high school teacher with a specialty in Junior English. After a thirty-five year career he retired from the Dallas Independent School District in 1997. He taught many years at Hillcrest High School and Roosevelt High School, before retiring from the DISD Middle College at El Centro. Charles will always be remembered as a great teacher and friend. He faithfully attended Hillcrest reunions, and was present at countless funerals of his former students and their parents. He had an astounding ability to remember details about his former students.

You will never encounter a more gentle and forgiving person than Charles. He was absolutely incapable of being mean or vindictive to anyone, especially to those who were unkind to him.

Charles was deservedly proud of his service in the Texas Air National Guard. He was an excellent ballroom dancer and duplicate bridge player. He loved his two games each week at the Richardson Senior Center and the King of Glory Lutheran Church, as well as socializing with his many friends, and attending live theatrical and musical performances. Because he was a curious person, he enjoyed traveling, where he visited museums and saw beautiful scenery in Europe, Canada, Mexico and throughout the United States, including Alaska. His home was always open for entertaining friends and several social clubs. He loved giving elegant private dinner parties for his closest friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Septimus Longcope, Sr. and Vivianne Robinson Longcope and his sister Kay Longcope. Left to inconsolably cherish his memory are his life partner of 46 years, James Lynn Williams of Dallas, as well as his brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Bonnie Loncope of San Marcos, TX. Additionally by his nieces Courtney Longcope of Austin, TX, Amy Longcope of Los Angeles, CA, and Camille and Brent Wingert of Boerne, TX, together with their children Lucy, Betsy and McLeod.

The family expresses its gratitude to the doctors and nurses of Presbyterian Hospital, as well as the caregivers of Amity Hospice, for their care for Charles in his time of need.

A private interment took place at Sparkman Hillcrest on Saturday, August 1st. A celebration of his life is planned for when social distancing permits. Memorials in his name may be made to the Dallas Retired Teachers Association.