Charles Anthony Guenat, Jr.

Our beloved husband and father Charles Anthony Guenat, Jr. peacefully passed away at home on April 30, 2025 at the age of 78. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Guenat, Sr. and Loleta Copeland Guenat. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Goode Guenat of Temple; his daughters Esther Guenat of Temple and Rachel Guenat of San Antonio; and his two grandchildren, Harper and Asher. He is also survived by his sisters Helen Guenat and Patricia Ervin (and husband Carl) and brother Mark Guenat (and wife Monica).

Charles was born in Temple, TX on March 19, 1947; he graduated from Temple High School with the Class of 1965. He always had a way with numbers and a love of our nation’s history, and he cultivated those interests accordingly throughout his collegiate endeavors. He received his bachelor’s degrees in both math (from Mary Hardin Baylor) and history (from North Texas University), and he received his master’s degree in education administration from Angelo State University, thus leading to a successful 30-year career in education. Charles taught at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Temple, at Edison Junior High in San Angelo, TX, and at Shoemaker High School in Killeen, TX; he was the principal at Grape Creek Middle School in Grape Creek, TX from 1989-1997 and the principal at Angelo Catholic School in San Angelo from 1997-2004.

Charles was truly dedicated to the love of his life, Sharon, whom he met in Temple where they were both members of the St. Mary’s community; after a lengthy courtship—one in which Charles worked tirelessly to win Sharon’s heart--they were married in the summer of 1979. By 1982, they had moved to San Angelo, TX, where they would both continue careers in education and raise their two daughters. In addition to his professional success, Charles fully embraced the role of husband and father; he loved surprising his wife with random romantic gestures, both big and small, and he had such fun cheering his children (and many of their friends!) on in their academic and extracurricular endeavors. Summer beach vacations, road trips to visit extended family, movie and bowling nights, and big, multi-family get-togethers to watch the Cowboys and celebrate birthdays only emphasized his love of his family and friends. Charles and Sharon moved back to Temple in 2005 after they both retired from education. Charles then decided to continue to exercise his numbers prowess by working for a time as an insurance agent for the Knights of Columbus. He also wholeheartedly enjoyed the role of “Pop Pop” ever since his two grandchildren were born.

Charles was a lifelong, faithful Catholic who was always striving to give back to his Church communities. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Angelo, TX and of St. Mary Catholic Church in Temple, TX. At Sacred Heart, he served as Director of Religious Education for a time, and he oversaw altar server instruction and training. At St. Mary, he served as the RCIA director and participated in the church’s prayer chain. At both Sacred Heart and St. Mary, he served as a eucharistic minister and extraordinary minister who helped bring the eucharist to people unable to attend Mass. Charles was also a 4th-degree Knight for the Knights of Columbus organization.

Charles was a hard worker who was most passionate about his faith and his family. He was a lovingly dedicated husband, a beautifully present and involved father, and a proud grandfather who lit up around his grandchildren. He also loved his parents, his siblings, his in-laws, and his many nieces and nephews very much. Charles’s patron saint was St. Joseph, considered to be the patron saint of families, fathers, and also workers. Pope Francis had the following to say about this saint:

"Joseph teaches us that faith in God includes believing that he can work even through our fears, our frailties, and our weaknesses. He also teaches us that amid the tempests of life, we must never be afraid to let the Lord steer our course."

Charles lived a life that also fully exemplified how steadfast faith in God and lovingly leading a family go hand in hand—he will be greatly missed.

The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to Heart to Heart Hospice for the intentional care their nurses, aides, chaplain, and social worker showed Charles in his last months.

A visitation will take place on Monday, May 5, 2025 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm at St. Mary Catholic Church, 1018 S. 7th St. Temple, Texas. A Rosary will follow at 7:00pm at the church.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 6th, 2025 at 10:00am at St. Mary Catholic Church, 1018 S. 7th St. Temple, Texas. Burial will follow at Bellwood Memorial Park.