Mr. Charles Henry Farwell

Charles Henry “Charlie” Farwell passed away peacefully, while surrounded by family, on Tuesday, the 8th of November 2011. He was born in Dalhart, Texas, on the 15th of March 1919, to the late Bula Annette Gushwa and William Edgar Farwell. He graduated from North Dallas High school in 1937.

A fourth generation Texan, Charlie was proud of his Texas roots and was a descendant of the XIT Ranch family. The XIT Ranch and the Farwell Family provided the 3 million acres that was traded to finance the Texas State Capitol’s development. Charlie graduated from SMU in 1947 with a bachelor of business administration degree. He joined the U.S. Army and was sent to Camp Collins in Long Beach, California where he was assigned to the 78th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. He was stationed at the Attu and Aleutian Islands in Alaska before returning to the U.S. Army as part of the 8th Army Defense Command in Seattle, Washington. His final station before discharge was Fort Bliss, Texas.

In 1948, Charlie married Mary Jo Legg and was blessed with two wonderful children - Paige Farwell Fertitta and Neil Farwell both of Houston. Charlie and Mary Jo recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on the 6th of November.

Charlie and his family relocated to Houston from Dallas where he worked for Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line for 36 years. He led a long and rich career specializing in design engineering. Following retirement, Charlie spent several summers working as a Volunteer on the Colorado Trailhead outside of Durango.

Charlie led an active lifestyle and was known for his love of the outdoors and swimming. He also focused his time and efforts on his music. A pianist since the age of five, Charlie was always the first to seek a piano and play a tune to the delight of his loving family and friends.

Charlie and Mary Jo developed many special friendships through their membership at Westbury United Methodist Church. A man of strong faith, Charlie generously spent time and effort working as the musician for his church class, The Westbury Harmony Class.

A kind and gentle spirit, Charlie’s delightful personality drew others immediately to him. He always found humor in usual and unusual situations. He was a practical joker and a friend to many who always offered a smile and a laugh.

He found his greatest joy in spending time with his family and is survived by wife, Mary Jo Legg Farwell; children, Paige Farwell Fertitta and son-in-law Tilman Fertitta and Neil Farwell and daughter-in-law Lauren Duke Farwell. Charlie was the proud grandfather of five special grandchildren including Harrison Farwell of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Michael Fertitta, Patrick Fertitta, Blayne Fertitta and Blake Fertitta all of Houston. Charlie’s loving nieces and nephews include Bill Lang of Dallas, Ken Kenyon of El Paso, Patty Sutherland of Dallas, Bob Minnie of Lubbock and Betsy Minnie of Austin.

In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by his son, the late Douglas Charles Farwell; and by his sister, the late Phoebe Ann Farwell Lang.

The memorial service, in celebration of Charlie's life, is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 14th of November, at Westbury United Methodist Church, 5200 Willowbend Boulevard in Houston, where Rev. Thomas A. "Tommy" Williams, Pastor, is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception, to be held at a venue announced during the service.