M/Sgt. Charlie Clayton Sowell U.S. Air Force, Retired

Ret. SMsgt Charlie Clayton Sowell passed away Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. Survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Edith Fleming Sowell, his son Vernon Sowell and his wife Sandi Turkington, grandchildren Rayleen Watson, Lisa Herlihy and her husband Patrick, Charles Clay Sowell and his wife Melissa Earle Sowell, Brandon Sowell and his wife Linda Wallace Sowell, Elizabeth Sowell, step-grand daughter Maureen Binger and her husband MajGen. William Binger, and nine great-grandchildren, Cameron and Taylor Ballew, Charles and Samuel Ray, Jake Binger, twins Abigail and Hannah Sowell, and Ryan and Peyton Sowell. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Charles Ray.

He was born December 2, 1919, in Ponta, Texas to More Sowell and Frankie Brock Sowell. Raised in and around Tyler and Mineola, Texas, Charlie was the oldest of 7 siblings. He is survived by Pearl Sowell of South Dakota, and Eva Lee Sowell also of South Dakota. His other siblings More Lee, Clyde Moss, Elmer, Edgar, and youngest, Bobby have all passed.

Charlie served in the United States Army Air Corps and retired from the United States Air Force in 1960. He served in our nation’s armed forces for 21 years including WWII. He and his wife, Edith, and his two sons Charles Ray and Vernon Kay were stationed throughout the country including Arizona and Massachusetts and even abroad in Japan. He retired in Universal City, Texas and went on to be an integral part in helping Universal City incorporate in the 60‘s, and was one of Universal City’s first council members. A self-made man and independent businessman in the community, Charlie owned and operated a number of business over the years and helped others to do the same through his various real estate ventures in Universal City. Charlie was a hard worker and believed that everyone could be something with a little elbow grease and some hard work. Charlie was a member in good standing of not only Universal City area business and development, but also the surrounding towns and cities. He participated in many philanthropic and community centered non-profit organizations. Some of these include being a 60 plus year member of Randolph Masonic Lodge #1268, and a member of American Legion Post #0067 in Universal City. Both Charlie and Edith enjoyed participating as members of the Alamo City Historical Car Club and The Alamo A's, local car clubs who specialize in collection and restoration of antique cars. If you knew Charlie you knew he like to work on old cars and tinker in his garage, usually nd resourceful person in just about every aspect of his life be it business, home life or travel.

Charlie and Edith loved to travel and in retirement they took many trips. Travel often included trips to our National Parks and historical landmarks. They enjoyed exploring major cities and thoroughfares, visiting places and making new friends, literally from coast to coast. Charlie exposed his children and grandchildren to the treasures our nation had to offer as well, instilling a sense of “wanderlust” in many members of the family and sharing his own love of travel with the grandchildren. Anyone who came to visit after one of Charlie and Edith’s trips was sure to see a slide show or video of their recent adventure. Charlie and Edith travelled abroad quite a bit as well, and even toured countries like Russia and China during times of political and socio-economical strife. It was safe to say he was an adventurer and anyone willing to come along for the ride was certainly in store for an extraordinary experience. Before slowing down in his later years, you could always find Charlie planning his next car club excursion, or travel to their next destination.finding ways to make life easier for Edith by repairing things around the house. He was a very inventive a

Charlie was a decent and steadfast man with a very big heart. He was always quick with a smile, good for a laugh and made friends everywhere he went. He was a devoted husband who loved Edith with all his heart up. He was a provider for his family and giving of his time and resources to those in need whenever he was able.

Charlie lived a long and healthy life and for that we all are grateful. A husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he lived and died surrounded by those he loved. His story was one of a man who came from very little who put family before everything and worked diligently to ensure his children and grandchildren would have the things he did not. Charlie Sowell will be missed, but thankfully through his legacy the memories so many people cherish will be passed on.

Visitation and services will be held on Thursday, Jan. 31 at Colonial Funeral Home in Universal City from 11:00am to 1pm, with the service to follow. Interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston 2:30pm.