CAPT Charles (Chuck) Lee Hewell

Charles (Chuck) Hewell, beloved husband, son, and uncle, died too soon at the age of 72 on September 30, 2026, after a well lived life. Chuck was born in 1954 in Houston. He was the son of the late Raymond Lee and Lois Ann Hewell.

Chuck graduated from Lee High School in 1972, then attended Rice University on an NROTC scholarship, receiving his Bachelor of Science (1976) and Masters (1977) degrees, both in Chemical Engineering. It was at Rice that he met his future wife, Marti Causey, in 1977. Also in 1977, Chuck began his service in the United States Navy and was soon deployed to Japan and other locations in the western Pacific Ocean on the USS Oklahoma City and USS Reasoner. He continued his service with engineering assignments in Seattle, Washington and Long Beach Naval Shipyard.

In 1984, Chuck returned to Houston, joined the United States Naval Reserve, and married Marti in June. Together, they both attended the University of Houston, receiving MBA degrees in 1988. Chuck continued his service in the Navy Reserves until his retirement as Captain in June 2007. He maintained a connection with Rice and the Navy by volunteering his time, sharing his experience with engineering and ROTC students at Rice. He was also a member of the Texas Commandery of the Naval Order of the United States and the Houston Military Affairs Committee.

Chuck’s civilian career included positions at several different companies as an engineer for water and wastewater management spanning operations, design and construction activities. He also served many years on boards for Municipal Utility and Levee Improvement Districts.

Chuck enjoyed a number of hobbies, but especially two that started when he was just a boy. He built and flew radio control airplanes, competing across the state in his early years. He also loved collecting and running model trains. Visits to a train store were a common activity during Chuck’s travels.

Over the years, Chuck and Marti traveled the world together, including living in Bangkok, Thailand for two years. In keeping with Chuck’s love of the Navy and of trains, they cruised many seas and rode many trains together including trips to Asia, Antarctica, Australia, several of the great rivers of Europe and his final voyage, a trip through the Panama Canal.

Friends and family were very important to Chuck. He loved sharing stories and experiences with everyone he met. He would help out any way he could, especially with projects that required a handyman’s expertise. Seeing his niece and nephews grow into wonderful adults with families of their own brought him great joy.

Chuck was preceded in death by his Mother and Father, Lois and Raymond Hewell; father-in law, Cloy Causey and brother-in-law Tom Causey. He is survived by his wife, Marti; aunt, Hester Bell; mother-in-law, Barbara Causey, brother and sister-in-law Rick and Elizabeth Causey; Paula Parrish; six nieces and nephews; and seven great nieces and nephews.

A Service Commemorating Chuck’s Life will be held at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home, 12555 South Kirkwood Road in Stafford, on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 1:00 pm. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent event room at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210

(https://gifts.mdanderson.org/Default.aspx?tsid=37435), or to Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center (https://www.giveblood.org/about-us/financial-contributions/).