Charles "Charlie" Perry Gorin

Charles Perry (Charlie) Gorin, age 93, passed away on February 21, 2021. Charlie was born to parents Charles G. and Angie Perry Gorin in Waco, Texas on February 6th, 1928. The family relocated to Austin in 1930 and lived in a house at 2101 Neches Drive, where UT’s Disch Falk Field is now located. This connection to baseball proved prophetic as Charlie, whose Dad played AA minor league ball for the Waco Dons, proved to be an outstanding baseball player himself starring at Austin High School and in American Legion ball under Austin coaching legend Tony Burger, a life-long friend. After graduating from Austin High School in 1945, Charlie joined the Naval Reserves and obtained his private pilot license in a Taylorcraft single engine high-wing aircraft. In the fall on 1945, he was ordered to active duty in the Navy. He was stationed in San Diego, California and served on the USS Stephens, at the end of WWII. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in August 1946 and returned to the Naval Reserves. Charlie came home to Austin and attended The University of Texas at Austin on the GI Bill. He pursued a degree in Physical Education and joined the Texas Longhorn Baseball team. Charlie starred as a hard throwing lefty under the tutelage of the legendary Bib Falk, as a two-time All-Southwest Conference starting pitcher who in 1949 and 1950 led the Longhorns to the first back to back College World Series championships in NCAA history. In the 1950 championship season Charlie was unbeaten and won two clutch victories in the NCAA World Series to lead his team out of the loser’s bracket to the Championship. His outstanding play on the field along with his equally outstanding character earned him a place in The University of Texas Hall of Honor, a group whose members must have exhibited the highest standards of athletic achievement and citizenship as stated in the rules for qualification, “The recipient shall possess or shall have possessed in addition to outstanding ability in a sport, or sports, such qualifications as sportsmanship, character and integrity...and shall be one who has brought great distinction to The University of Texas".

Charlie’s love and talent for baseball landed him an offer to play semi-pro and pro ball with the Boston (later Atlanta) Braves, organization. He played in their minor league organization for two years where his winning ways continued. He was recalled to active duty Spring 1952 to the Navy School of Pre-Flight in Pensacola, Florida and continued a winning baseball career with the Pensacola Goslings. He completed his enlistment and was awarded an Honorable Discharge in the fall of 1953. He returned to the Milwaukee Braves in 1954. His career took him many places and awarded him with recognition that followed him throughout his life, including playing on five pennant winning teams. Charlie retired from his baseball career with the Austin Senators in 1962, after beating out San Antonio for the league championship and pitching a no-hitter in the Pan American championship game against the Mexico City Red Devils. This championship was celebrated 50 years later with surviving members of the team. They were honored at a Round Rock Express game where they finally received their long-delayed championship rings.

Charlie began his coaching career in Austin Independent School District in 1960. He taught and coached at Lanier High School for 13 years before transferring to L. C. Anderson High School in 1973. In 1977, he moved in to administration as Dean of Boys and later, Vice-Principal at Reagan High School. After retiring, Charlie developed a passion for golf, inspired by his sons-in-law. He played several times a week with friends, family, and was a member of the Senior Golf Association and Wolfpack of retired coaches. After a long day of golf, you could find him in his yard, swinging his golf club or tinkering in his workshop, “Charlie’s Place.”

Charlie first met his future bride, Martha (Becky) Harwell during spring training in Bradenton Florida and they married in 1956 and celebrated 64 years together. Charlie and Becky bought their first and only home on Fiset Drive where they lived for 59 years. Charlie was an early riser. Every morning, he would stroll through the neighborhood with a cup of coffee and place neighbors’ newspapers at their front doors. He would stop in and check on friends before returning home. He spent many evenings sitting on the front porch visiting with neighbors and gained the title, “Mayor of Fiset.” He enjoyed spending time with his grandsons, family and friends.

Charlie and Becky moved to Lakeline Oaks Retirement Community where he lived his last three years visiting with new friends, sharing stories and eating ice cream.

Charlie was beloved by family, friends and all who came to know him. He seldom went out in public without someone recognizing him and wanting to reminisce about old times. He maintained close ties with many of his friends and fellow coaches his entire life. Charlie Gorin was a man who everyone seemed to know and love. He certainly has been welcomed home by those who knew him in the past. We can all take heart that he is now free to enjoy old friends and play Austin’s “Muny,” any time he wants.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; he is survived by his wife Becky and his daughters Debbie Thomas (Jerry) of Tomball, Texas, daughter Kathy Waligore (Mike) of Liberty Hill, Texas; two grandsons, Zach Thomas and Andrew Waligore; his brother Bev Gorin (Jo) of Austin, Texas, and niece Christy Lehtinen (Keith) of Katy, Texas and nephew Scott Gorin of Austin, Texas; his Sister-in-law Antoinette Welch of Valrico, Florida and nephew Kenny Welch (Katrina) of Monroe, Connecticut and grandnephew Jacob Welch of Daytona, Florida and a host of family and friends.

Visitation with the family from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, on Sunday, the 7th of March 2021, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on Monday, the 8th of March in Austin Memorial Park Cemetery in Austin, TX.

To share condolences with the family, please visit www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com