Charles Skeens

"The life of the party. It was Charlie's world, and we were just living in it." Charlie, also known as Chuck to some, 68, of Houston, TX passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at Memorial Hermann Hospital.

Charlie was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1955 but moved to Houston, TX in the 60’s. As a child and young man, Charlie kept his parents on his toes from bringing home a pet monkey to getting his foot caught in the spokes of a bike and having to wear a sock and flip flop to church!

If you knew Charlie, you knew how much life he brought everywhere he went. He was the life of the party, the jokester, the one who brought the music, food, drinks, and laughs. Everyone wanted to be around him because he was the definition of fun.

The relationship he had with his family was special. He loved his wife, Terrie Skeens and his children Ashley Cross, Charlie Skeens, Jr., John Rothman, and Jillian Henriksen like no other. He had a close relationship with his mom, Frances “Dolly”, his sister, Paula and his niece, Tiffany. There were large family gatherings, birthday parties, holidays, and dinners for no reason other than it being Sunday. Being together was routine and was important to him. He was a Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Uncle, Papa, and Friend to anyone he met.

He was known for having the same Sunday morning routine listening to jazz on Sunny 99.1 while cooking a large breakfast or his dedication to coupon cutting on Thursdays and organizing them in the order of the grocery store layout. He loved cake fights, Texans football, tailgating, dancing, cooking the best meals without a single recipe, and all music from classic rock to Kenny G to Sade, even Shaggy. He's remembered for his repetitive one-liners, his loud whistle when needing someone's attention, blaring his loud music in the pool, his fancy cocktails or his wine glass that held an entire bottle of wine, his terrible attempt at singing Meatloaf karaoke while trying to keep up with his wife Terrie, the face everyone recognized when he was mad, movie nights, watching Remember the Titans three times in a row, and his masterful storytelling and jokes.

Charlie’s passion was his love of wine and he was fortunate enough to be able to share his knowledge with friends and clientele. He spent 10 plus years in the family business, A&D Liquor, and the majority of his career at Richard’s Liquors & Fine Wines as the Store Manager and then Wine Buyer. He often talked about and cherished the friendships he built throughout his life in the industry.

Charlie is missed dearly. The strokes, dementia, and diabetes slowly took over throughout the years with glimpses of his old self. This past Christmas was special as you could see him soak it all in like he knew it was his last. We hugged, we cried, we held on a little longer, and a little tighter.

As we celebrate the life Charlie lived, we like to imagine he quickly reunited with our mom, nannie, auntie, papa, and everyone else waiting for him. He is and will be forever loved.

Charlie is preceded in death by his wife, mother of his children, Margaret “Maggie” Skeens, his parents, Charles Skeens, Frances “Dolly” Nopar, Alvin Nopar and his sister, Paula Baldwin. Charlie is survived by his wife, Terrie Skeens, his children, Ashley (Joseph) Cross, Charlie Skeens, Jr. (Eric Darce), John Rothman, Jillian (Todd) Henriksen. Charlie also leaves behind 6 grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend the service for Charles Edward Skeens at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home on Saturday, April 13 at 10:00am, with a celebration of life lunch reception following at Jason & Tiffany Garcia’s home.