Charles "Chuck" Rayburn

Charles (Chuck) Adrian Rayburn was born in Cleburne Tx. On September 5, 1935, and passed away peacefully on October 6, 2021 in Houston Texas, at the age of 86, surrounded by his loving family. He was a loving, hard-working and dedicated husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, whose contributions to his family, his work, and community far exceeded his years. He lettered in football during high school & swam for The Shamrock Hotel Elite Swim Team, Shamrock Corkettes, Chuck graduated from Reagan High School, with 2 scholarships from University of Houston & University of Texas, in Football. All while joining the Naval Reserve in High School & reaching the Level of Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America. He put the scholarships on hold due to the Korean War from 1950-1953. With his athleticism in swimming, Chuck was certified as a Submarine Diver during the war. He was honorably discharged in December, 1961. He signed on with U of H Football with a full ride in December, 1961. University of Texas wanted him with a full ride scholarship, University of Texas was his first choice, and however the timing did not work out. Chuck graduated from U of H with honors in a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering and Government.

Sometime during college years or right after he and 4 friends formed a group, “The Diamonds “which started out as a small band with Chuck Playing the drums & singing in baritone voice. Well would you know these four young men came out with a hit record called “Little Darling” in 1957, it turned gold. You always knew which voice was Chuck, because he soloed the deep voice in the record.

The Group was on the Dick Clarke & Ed Sullivan show & the Larry Kane show in Houston. The group developed the new dance-craze “The Stroll”. Which was all on the teen stations, venues as well. It was a hit. There were a few more songs, however while playing at sold out venues with other 50’s popular recording artists of the day, a tragic accident happened with 2 members of the group. 2 of the members died in a tragic diving accident in Austin.

Chuck and the other members were so broken-hearted with their death & the closeness they shared during this exciting times in their lives. They had many requests to go on with new member tryouts, however it was not the same. There were many more “The Diamonds” group however, Chuck and his group were the original. Chuck did not let that stop him in 1957, he was recruited to try out with the 49’s Football Team as safety & defense, however he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles # 22 & he loved playing with the Eagles & the Eagles loved him. He made the cover of Sports Illustrated Roster Player of the Year in 1957. In Dec, 1957, Chuck was nominated by New York Sports Writer Club Defensive Player of the Week in December 1957. Chuck stayed with the Eagles for another year or two.

Chuck’s achievements and successes are too numerous to mention. His first job was with the iconic Red Adair Wild Well Control. Chuck was traveling the World & US putting out Oil Well Fires. He worked with Red Adair for 18-20 years. He drove the iconic Red Cadillac with white convertible top. Chuck loved the challenges of the Job & the fearless adventure of the foreign countries and US domestic, stopping the fires with minimal risk in the loss of lives & petroleum. In 1968. Red Adair & Company Inspired the action, adventure film about their exploits filmed the movie, “Hell fighters”. John Wayne starred in the film as Red Adair. Chuck Rayburn played the “stunt scenes “for John Wayne. Needless to say, those years were amazing, and exciting experiences working for Red Adair.

Upon leaving Red Adair, Chuck entered into a different phase of the Energy Industry. He spent the next 10+ Years on Lobbying Business Relations with a particular expertise in defining State & Federal Government's impact on the energy industry, in Domestic as well as International. Chuck worked with Governor Edwin Edwards during his 4 consecutive terms as Governor, Senator Russell B. Long in Louisiana. At the same time Chuck was lobbying Oil & Gas concerns in Texas. He worked with Governor Dolph Briscoe & Governor Mark White & their respective Senators & House Members.

Chuck and his team developed & implemented a line of environmental safe Lubricants as well as Microbial remediation products with major refineries. As a Senior Executive with many private & public companies, he was Involved in the operation of marine terminals & Off Share bases, servicing offshore drilling & and Production operations. He lobbied in Washington for these causes implementing new laws with less regulatory compliances. He also successfully lobbied in Washington to locate the U.S marine spill response bases in Galveston, New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. Chuck also served on various committees TNRCC (Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission), the Texas land office and railroad commission. From 1980-1999, Chuck was with the following oil companies Seaire services and 2 oil Inc. Lainare and Associates, Coastwise Marine and Creole Inc. Company in Houston.

In 2000, Chuck went into semi-retirement and we opened up our real estate company Rayburn and Associates Realty which is very successful and the companies are still going strong. He was a lifetime Livestock show and Rodeo member for 27 years. For 27 of those years he was on the Parade Committee and the Calf Scramble Committee and Member of the American legion.

Chuck has survived by his loving and devoted wife for 42 years. Chuck was an exceptional and devoted caregiver and friend to our beloved mother for 30 years Vencie R Garza. They both loved each other very much. His only son, Corbin who is a treasure and the light of his life. Chuck was involved in every aspect of Corbin’s life, and all the sports he was involved in middle school and high school games or functions.

BELLAIRE BASEBALL WAS CHUCK’S ADDICTION. He lived for Bellaire baseball during Corbin’s high school years. He was highly involved as part time coach of the Bellaire high school baseball team and various committees with Dr. Joe Hutchins and Jonell Hutchins. We never missed a game and those years we were travelling to various places for games and recruiting. The excitement and joy all those years in middle school and high school we’re boundless with our dear friends Dr. Joe Hutchins, Jo Hutchins, and Will Hutchins. In middle school, Roy Sweeny and Chad Walker, who Chuck thought of as his other son and Corbin's longtime good friends. They played various sports baseball, basketball, and football. Chuck’s parents, Charles Rayburn and his mother Marcell Rayburn preceded in death and also Mimianne Johansson. His loving family his aunts and uncles.

He was survived by his only grandchild Elle Rayburn, daughter of Corbin and Kelli Petree. His beloved Aunt Estelline. His loving cousin Connie Knipp and his loving nieces and nephews, Ashley and Tavis, Johansson, Crump, William, Nicolas, Christopher, Eddie Johansson IV, Ricky Johansson and Esher and Eva Johansson. Shelby Johansson. Kera and Matt Johnson, and Arlow. Freddie Garcia and family. Aunt Josie Alexander, and family, Gino, Ronny, Rozy and families. Lyndin boozer and family. His loving son in law and sister in law who he thought of as brothers and sisters, Eddie johansson III, and Rosalind Johansson. Chuck’s great-uncle Sam Rayburn, was the longest serving speaker of the House in history. The Rayburn House office building which is named after “Mr. Sam Rayburn” as his iconic memory on Capitol Hill. Chuck learned many things over the years from “Mr. Sam” attending many sessions in the House. Mr. Sam was at his best in exerting his influence through skillful persuasion and humor, Telling stories and great funny jokes, rather than arbitrary rules. One of chucks favorite quote from ‘Mr. Sam’, “no one has a finer command of the language than a person that keeps his mouth shut.”

The family would like to express our deepest love and gratitude to the loving caregivers and family, Mehret, Luwam and family. Whose daily care and compassionate love for the last 8 years have been immeasurable. The family would also like to express our deepest love and gratitude to Pat Leonetti, who has been with the family for over 50 years. The family would also like to express to Dr. Karan, Dr. Faruq, and Dr. Ramahn, for the love and compassion and excellent care given during his last year of life.

“Be at rest once more, oh my soul, for the lord has been good to you.

Precious in the side of the lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 117: 7, 15.

In lieu of flowers you may make contributions to the Parkinson’s Association of Houston and the Diabetes Association in Houston.