Charles Perricone

A. Charles Perricone, 85, passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2015 in Houston after battling Parkinson's disease for several years. Charles was born on December 2, 1929, in Galveston to Vincenzo and Selma Perricone.

Charles graduated from Ball High School in Galveston in the spring of 1947 where he was a National Honor Scholar and was a Major in the ROTC and became a Battalion Commander. Charles attended The University of Texas at Austin and received a Bachelor's and Master's Degree of Science in Ceramic Engineering in 1951 and 1952, respectively. During college, Charles married his hometown sweet-heart, Betty Lou Mathis in 1950. While they proceeded to build their lives together, Charles began his professional career at Baroid IDP and worked as a drilling fluids engineer. He eventually became Research and Development Director for Baker Hughes Drilling Fluids and was granted over 20 patents in Drilling Fluid Products and Chemical Processes. He later went into marketing, management of inventory and purchasing. During his career in the oil field drilling fluids industry, he had the opportunity to travel much of the world. He was active with the Society of Professional Engineers, American Petroleum Engineers, and received service awards from each of these organizations. Charles retired from Baker Hughes in 1993, but continued to work as a consultant for them over the next six years.

Not wishing to slow down entirely, he went to work for Raw Materials Corporation from 2001 to 2014 and assisted them in building their drilling fluids business. In 2006, Charles was instrumental in Raw Materials being honored by AkzoNobel as top partner and traveled to Sweden to receive this award. He was also inducted into the American Association of Drilling Engineers - Fluids Hall of Fame in 2008 for his many contributions to the advancement of drilling fluids.

Charles and Betty retired to Bentwater where they spent 15 joyous years. Charles enjoyed running, golfing, deep sea fishing and dancing. He was especially proud of the fishing tournaments that he won and his several holes-in-one. Charles was a hands on man and always available to help his children with building projects. He also enjoyed traveling with Betty and taking cruises with his family. Charles was devoted to Betty and tirelessly cared for her during her long battle with cancer.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife of 61 years, Betty Perricone. He is survived by his brother, Robert Perricone and sister-in-law Dorothy; his children, Ellen Bachmann and husband Hank; Sue Lloyd and husband Mike; Charles Perricone and wife Laurie; and Bonita Hodde and husband Mike. He has 9 grandchildren, Courtney Forshey and Stephen Bachmann, Jennifer Denne, Christopher and John Lloyd, Matt Perricone and Allison Helms, Travis and Emerson Hodde, and 5 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank all of his caregivers at Silverado Cypresswood for the loving care they provided our father. Special thanks also go to Mike Hodde and Pauline and Tim Tauer for routinely tending to our father, and Scott Brownhill of Raw Materials who not only visited him regularly, but allowed him to work at his own pace during the progression of his illness.

Visitation will be Friday, February 27, 2015 at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale Ave. from 5:00 to 8:00 PM with a vigil service at 6:30 PM. Funeral Services will be Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 10:30 AM in the Mary Chapel, Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 19222 Tomball Parkway with Internment immediately following at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale Ave.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research by calling 1-800-708-7644 or mailing to Donation Processing, Michael J. Fox Foundation, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5041 or The Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 301 E Dean Keeton, C2104, Austin, TX 78712-0287