Charles A. "Chuck" Biggs Sr.

Charles A. “Chuck” Biggs, Sr., formerly a resident of Pasadena for over 50 years, died Tuesday morning, Jan 18, 2022 resting peacefully and surrounded by his family. He was 84 years old. Chuck passed away in hospice at Eagles Trace in Houston, his retirement home for the last several years. His memorial service will be held at noon on Monday Jan 31 at the American Heritage Funeral Home. Commitment will be on the National Cemetery grounds, with military honors. His Pastor, the Reverend Jim Gideon of Pasadena, will officiate the services.

Chuck was born on March 15, 1937 in Jonesboro, AR to Arthur and Marie Biggs. In 1951 his family moved to Clute and he graduated from Brazosport High School in 1955. He later earned a BA cum laude in 1984 and an MA in 1987 from the University of Houston at Clear Lake in Media Studies. In 1990 he was named the University’s Distinguished Alumnus of the year. He continued his UH association as an Adjunct Professor until 1997.

He was an Air Force veteran, serving in the Air Training Command supporting the B-52 and Atlas rocket programs at Sheppard AFB just outside of Wichita Falls. There he attained a Top Secret clearance. On June 24, 1956, at Craig AFB in Selma AL, Airman Biggs married his high school sweetheart, Mary “Geana” Perry of Lake Jackson, who survives him.

After his military service, Airman First Class Biggs transferred to civil service, taking a position with the newly formed NASA Manned Spacecraft Center (later renamed to the Johnson Space Center), in Houston. He remained at NASA for over 30 years, retiring in 1992, after having a long and exciting career there. He was often recognized for his outstanding contributions to the public's understanding of and appreciation for the American space program; among them being the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the NASA Superior Achievement Award, and the RNASA Stellar Award.

His final role at NASA was as the Vice President of the Manned Space Flight Education Foundation, responsible for the design, development, and construction of Space Center Houston. A bronze plaque with his name and likeness stands outside Space Center Houston today.

He was a lifelong Amateur Radio operator (WA5GNB and KC5RG) and a member of the MARS net (Military Auxiliary Radio System), a civilian program sponsored by the Department of Defense. He was actively involved in the SAREX (Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment) and OSCAR (Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio) programs. He was named the “Ham” Radio Operator of the Year by NASA/JSC in 1987.

He even made time for some leisure activities; riding motorcycles in his younger years and playing golf in his latter.

He was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey Biggs of Pasadena, and a brother James Biggs of West Columbia. In addition to his wife and best friend of 64 years, Geana, he is survived by a brother, William Biggs Sr. of Lake Jackson; two sisters, Linda Biggs Paulk of Angleton and Cecile Biggs Mock of Richmond, VA; a son, Chuck Biggs, Jr. of Cypress; two grandchildren, Jenny Biggs-Wymore of Magnolia and Michael Biggs of Chiang Rai Thailand; and three great-grandchildren, Austin, Jacob, and Isaac, all in Magnolia.

He will be profoundly missed.

A visitation for Charles will be held Monday, January 31, 2022 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. A funeral service will occur Monday, January 31, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. A committal service will occur Monday, January 31, 2022 from 1:15 PM to 1:30 PM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. A reception will occur Monday, January 31, 2022 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AmericanHeritageFuneralHome.com for the Biggs family.