Charles Christopher Self

Son of Harry E. Self and Katherine L. Self (Sandel), Charles was born in Gandy, Louisiana in 1936 and spent his early childhood years in Sabine Parish with his mother, aunts and grandparents while his father served overseas during World War II. In the years following the war his family relocated to Pasadena, Texas where he attended Pasadena High School, met lifelong friends, played football, track and was an avid writer and star theater student.

After high school, Charles briefly attended the University of Texas at Austin before transferring to Sam Houston State where he received his bachelor’s degree in biology and began an illustrious career in education.

Over a 45-year career as a teacher, Charles taught multiple subjects at every level from elementary school to community college. With students ranging from young children in impoverished rural areas to nurses in big city hospitals and NASA scientists, Charles enriched the lives of countless people with his love for knowledge, the sciences and philosophy. Always curious and learning about his world, Charles continued his own education, receiving his Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts in 1987. Charles published numerous academic papers on various topics and was an early adopter and advocate of the use of personal computers in education. He was recognized as the Northeast Regional Teacher of the Year in 1986.

An avid adventurer, Charles was a history-lover, scuba diver, fisherman, hunter, and world-traveler. He regaled his friends and loved ones with countless stories of his experiences, from solo explorations of the upper Amazon River to the Mexican pyramids, to the English moors, to deserted islands in the Bahamas and the South Pacific. Through his eyes, Charles’ loved ones experienced a vibrant world, alive and rich with wonder. He made dreams feel possible to achieve. In this he was the definition of an inspiring teacher, father and friend. It was a quality that touched everyone he knew.

In 1967 while at a summer program on desert biology at Arizona State University, Charles met another teacher, Mary Anne, the love of his life. He proposed after a whirlwind romance, and in 1968 they were married. Teaching together as biology professors at the College of the Mainland in Texas City, Texas and then at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, Massachusetts, the couple was a formidable and well-loved presence. They had two beloved children, David and Suzanne, in whom they imparted their values, love of learning, and exposed to a wide-open world of opportunity.

After retirement in 1992, Charles moved to California with his family and took up pursuits he had always wanted to try. He attended writing classes, travelled extensively with Mary Anne and his children, and as Mary Anne’s bridge partner, became a Life Master. During this time, he rejoiced in the arrival of his seven grandchildren, and was a constant, joyous and dependable presence in their lives. He returned with Mary Anne to Texas in 2018 after their daughter’s family relocated there.

Charles is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Anne Self, of Austin, his son, David C. Self of Lakeway, Texas, his daughter Suzanne M. Cho of Austin, Texas, son-in-law Yong Cho, and grandchildren, Jeffrey Schultz, Megan Cho, Matthew Cho, Jacob Self, Scott Self, Brooke Self and Emma Self.

Charles is also survived by brothers-in-law, Phillip Rollins and William Nally, as well as nephew Timothy Rollins and nieces Christine Ragan and Lynsey Nally.

Funeral Mass will be held at Emmaus Catholic Parish in Lakeway, Texas on July 30th, 2024 at 11 AM.

Contact: Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Homes, Lakeway

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), or Shriners Children’s Hospital, Shreveport LA.