Charles B. Lohr, Jr., was born on December 4, 1920, in Dallas, Texas, to Charles and Theresia Lohr, joining his older sister Irene. He was married to Marian Jeannette Nicoud Lohr for 70 years, and passed away on August 11, 2018, in Dallas, Texas.
Charles graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas in 1938. He was a devoted student at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, where he was known as “Tex” and made lifelong friendships.
After graduating from Notre Dame in 1942 with a degree in Business Administration, Charlie worked for Studebaker in South Bend inspecting airplane engines. He volunteered for the United States Army Air Corps, serving in the Office of Coordination and Compensation during World War II.
Besides God and his family, Charlie’s great love in life was Notre Dame Football. Many Saturdays he was glued to the TV, hands in prayer for the Fighting Irish to win. And often they did! He also relished telling stories about his student days, including the time he wasn’t able to go home on Christmas break and was left to eat cold beans from a can in his dorm room.
After working for Skillern’s Drug Stores in Dallas, Charles became a claims adjuster for homeowners insurance with Republic Insurance Company in Dallas. He enjoyed his co-workers and felt a great responsibility to his profession and position, and became Vice President of Claims.
He was active in improving the education and training of adjusters and investigators in controlling arson and other illegal claims. Charlie was on the formulating committee to develop adjusters tests in Texas, was a charter member and President of the Texas Advisory Council on Arson, and served on the advisory board of the National Governors Council on Arson. He was also on the advisory boards of Vale Technical Institute, General Adjustment Bureau, National Association of Property and Casualty Insurance Companies, and Board of Texas Property and Casualty Companies.
Charlie enjoyed telling about his experiences as a claims adjuster. In one memorable tale, he faced a homeowner whose house had burned and apparently was confident that his losses would be covered by insurance. As an expert on arson, Charlie noted that the claim would not be honored because the fire was set deliberately. What was his clue? Charlie would laugh and say, “the homeowner’s singed eyebrows.”
As a Boy Scout, Charlie was awarded the “Order of the Arrow”, known as the National Honor Society of scouting. He served as a Boy Scout leader, and was an excellent organizer and manager of many a camping trip with his sons and their friends.
Charlie and Marian traveled often to see family, attend Notre Dame reunions, and visit friends. They journeyed to Europe with a special trip to the village in Austria where his parents emigrated from. They also made many friends while enjoying square dancing.
Charles enjoyed his memberships in the Knights of Columbus and American Legion, and was a charter member of Saint Monica Catholic Church in Dallas, where his children attended school. The family thanks Father Guadagnoli for his kindness to Marian and Charlie in their final days. Thanks also to the Jesuit community, especially Fathers Wally and Leo, for their prayers and support.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Theresia, his sister Irene, his wife Marian, and his grandson, James.
Charlie dearly loved Marian and their family of eight children and their spouses, Jeannette and Jim Kopko, Charles “Buddy” and Cheryl Brown Lohr, Donald "Don", Elizabeth “Lissy” and Mark Nancarrow, George, Suzanne Chance, John and Sally Lohr, and Joanne and Barney McCoy. He was especially proud of his grandchildren and spouses, Charles “Charlie” and Kelly Lohr, George Lohr, Michael “Mike” Kopko, Jason Nancarrow, Sam Nancarrow, James Chance (passed away in 2009), Will Chance, John Chance, Niki Lohr, Amy Lohr, Emily McCoy and Dan Glover, and Marian McCoy. A special joy came with his beloved great-grandchildren, Everly Lohr, Charles “Cash” Lohr, Weston Glover, and Louisa Glover. He is also survived by his nephew William Mueller and niece Theresa Von Rath Robblee.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers, especially Ann, Debbie, and Chris, who lovingly attended Charles and Marian as they prepared for their transition to a new life with our Lord.
Visitation will be on Sunday, August 19, 2018, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, in the chapel at Calvary Hill Funeral Home, Dallas, with a Rosary at 6:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be Monday, August 20, 2018, at 11:00 AM at St. Monica Catholic Church, Dallas. Following a reception in the Family Center, interment will be at Calvary Hill Cemetery, Dallas.
Donations in Charles’ memory may be sent to St. Monica Catholic Church or American Heart Association.
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