Charles William Kehrt

Charlie was born December 2, 1937 in Marion, Indiana to the late Willard and Lillian Pumphrey Kehrt. Nicknamed “Charlie Bill” he graduated from Garfield High School in 1955. He was class

president and lettered in basketball, baseball, and football.

Charlie attended Purdue University on a sports scholarship where he played basketball and baseball. He was ranked as one of the nation’s top 100 basketball players in the 1950’s. Charlie was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

On May 9, 1969, Charlie and Margaret “Marge” Goossen were married. They were blessed with three children: Susan, Stephen, and Sara. Charlie worked as a salesman in the paper and packaging industry for over 45 years in New York, Detroit, and Plano, Texas. Upon retirement in 2008, Charlie and Marge moved to Dallas, Georgia and then relocated to Smyrna in 2022.

Charlie passed his love of sports on to his children, whom he enjoyed coaching in youth basketball and baseball. He served as commissioner of Plano's softball association for several years. Charlie loved to watch sports both in person and on TV. He was a constant fixture at Dallas Cowboys’, Texas Rangers’, and Dallas Mavericks’ games. After the move to Georgia, the Atlanta Braves also became a favorite team. Charlie enjoyed family outings to cheer on these teams, including attendance in St. Louis to root for the Texas Rangers in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, commonly considered the most exciting World Series game in history. Nothing in Charlie’s sports career, however, could compare to the joy of watching his grandchildren participate in their own sports and activities.

Charlie was a man of many other talents and interests. He loved to sing and was often complimented at church for “letting it ring” with his beautiful voice. Charlie was an enthusiastic gardener, cultivating delicious vegetables in Texas and beautiful flowers in Georgia. Charlie was also an avid stamp collector, massing an impressive collection over his 75 years in philately. Charlie was a member of Acworth United Methodist Church and enjoyed attending SAE alumni meetings in Atlanta.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 54 years Margaret Kehrt of Smyrna; daughter Susan Kehrt Wellborn (Pete) of Atlanta; son Stephen Kehrt (Amy) of Aledo, TX; daughter Sara Kehrt of Atlanta; granddaughter Maggie Wellborn of New York, NY; granddaughters Ashley Kehrt and Elizabeth Kehrt of Aledo, TX; grandson James Kehrt of Aledo, TX; sister-in-law Jo Ann Kehrt of Terre Haute, IN; and nieces Debbie Murphy, Karrie Cress and Lisa Kehrt. In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by his brother Robert “Bob” Kehrt.

His family invites you to join them in a celebration of his life on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 2 pm at Roselawn Funeral Home with visitation at 1 pm until time of services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (act.alz.org or 225 N. Michigan Avenue Floor 17 Chicago, Illinois 60601) or a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.roselawnfuneralhome.net for the Kehrt family.