He was a 1957 graduate of North Little Rock High School. He excelled in sports and was selected All-State in football his senior year and in basketball his junior and senior years. He went on to the University of Central Arkansas (then Arkansas State Teachers College) on a basketball scholarship. He was a standout player and a 4-time All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) honoree. He graduated with his bachelor’s in education degree in 1961 and later received his master’s in education from UCA in 1969.
Charley began his basketball coaching career in Blytheville, Arkansas followed by stints in Trumann, Jonesboro, and ultimately, McClellan High School in Little Rock. He closed out his 28- year education career as the Assistant Director of Transportation for Pulaski County Special School District.
In 2014, he was inducted into the UCA Sports Hall of Fame for his collegiate basketball achievements. At that time, he was in the top 15 in career scoring at UCA. The teams he played for won AIC Championships in 1958 and 1959 and advanced to the NAIA Tournament in 1959 and 1961.
After retiring, he became an avid runner, competing in distances from 5K through marathons throughout Arkansas and the entire country. Charley loved football and basketball and followed several high school teams as well as the Razorbacks. He also rarely missed a Saturday at Oaklawn Park during racing season.
Charley was a member of Mabelvale United Methodist Church for over 50 years. He is survived by his wife of 61 years: Carolyn Hamilton Eagle of Little Rock; two daughters: Rene Embrey and her husband, Scott, of Beebe, AR; Cheryl Siple and her husband, Scott, of Rowlett, TX; 6 grandchildren: Matt (Andrea) Embrey, Alison (Ethan) Fadely, David Embrey, and Will Siple all of Beebe; Ben Siple of Austin, TX; Josh Siple of Rowlett; and 3 great-grandchildren: Abel, Jack, and Ella Embrey of Beebe. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Wanda Eagle.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 - 11:00 am Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at Mabelvale Methodist Church, 10500 Woodman St., Mabelvale, AR 72103, followed by the memorial service at 11:00 am with the Reverend Robert “Bob” Marble officiating. Memorials may be made to Mabelvale Methodist Church or Little Rock Animal Village, 7401 Colonel Glenn Road, #4026, Little Rock, AR 72204. Arrangements are by Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth.
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