Charles R. Cleveland Sr.

Charles was born on the 18th of May 1923, in Trinity, Texas to Lillie Thornton Cleveland and Buddy Wyatt Cleveland. He grew up in Trinity, Texas and graduated from Trinity High School. After graduating High School, Charles attended Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Charles married Ola Gloria Gardner of Junction City, Arkansas on the 20th of August 1943. Charles entered the U.S. Army as Corporal serving his country in the Pacific theater from 1943 until 1945 when he was injured in Okinawa, Japan. Charles received the Purple Heart for injury during service to his country. He returned to Houston and finished his studies at The University of Houston. Upon graduating with a degree in Accounting, Charles worked briefly at General Motors and Gulf Oil before entering a 30 plus year career with Tennessee Gas Pipeline.

Charles loved spending time with his large family, traveling the world, ranching and had an affinity for collecting.

Charles was predeceased by his parents, his older brother, Y.C. Cleveland, and his son, John Paul Cleveland. Surviving him are his wife, Ola, of 67 years; daughters, Pamela Humphrey and husband James B. Humphrey, Jr.; Cathy Cone and husband William T. Cone, Jr; Susan Zapalac and husband Daniel W. Zapalac; and sons, Dr. Charles R. Cleveland, Jr.; James R. Cleveland and wife Kellie Cleveland; 16 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren .

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from four o’clock in the afternoon until six o’clock in the evening on Sunday, the 17th of October, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The graveside service is to be conducted a nine o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 18th of October, at Woodlawn Garden of Memories, 1101 Antoine Road in Houston.

The memorial service is to follow at ten o’clock in the morning, also on Monday, in the Sanctuary of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Rev. Peter Miller, Pastor, is to officiate.

Immediately following the service, a reception is to be held at a venue to be announced at the service.

In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, please consider a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 2425 Fountain View Drive, Suite 280, Houston, TX, 77057, in the name of his great-granddaughter, Olivia Cone.