OBITUARY

Charles Roy Pankey, Jr.

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Charles Roy Pankey, Jr., 82, of Gonzales, passed away on October 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas, surrounded by his family. He was born on September 11, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Loretta Marie Rowe and Charles Roy Pankey, Sr.

Charles grew up in the St. Louis area. He enjoyed running cross-country in high school, and he stayed in touch with many of his high school friends back in St. Louis over the years.

After Charles graduated high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served a 20-year career as an entomology technician, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant. He came from a big family, and after his parents passed away, he became the patriarch of the family.

He was first stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. Next, he was stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, TX, where he met the love of his life, Christe Maydell Weathersby. They married on December 18, 1962. Bergstrom was also where their daughter Bonnie Lynn was born at the base hospital. Charles got to experience traveling with his family while serving in the Air Force, and Japan was next on the map: Wakkanai Air Station in Wakkanai, Hokkaido Island, Japan. Their son John Charles was born at Misawa AFB on Honshu Island.

The Pankeys made their way back to the U.S. for a brief time to Chanute, Illinois, but Charles was assigned to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. His family lived in Gonzales to wait for his return. When Charles got back to the United States, he was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio again. From there, he and his family went to Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, TX. For the final part of his Air Force career, the family served at Plattsburgh Air Force Base in Plattsburgh, NY. Charles retired from the Air Force in Plattsburgh with 20 years and 17 days of service to our nation. He thought it was interesting that, with the exception of Lackland AFB, he was always on the team that stayed to perform the duties to close an Air Force base permanently and officially.

Charles Roy Pankey, Jr., dutifully earned and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, NCO Academy Graduate Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Recognition, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After his retirement, Charles decided to move to Gonzales with his family. For the remainder of his career, he worked for the Sweet Sue plant in Gonzales where they canned chicken, at Bergstrom AFB in Austin as a civilian before it was turned into an airport, at Kent Foods in Gonzales, and finally for the City of Gonzales for over 10 years. In addition to other duties, he served as the maintenance manager for the city parks and as the swimming pool manager.

Charles was a member of the First Methodist Church in Gonzales, and he loved church dinners every fifth Sunday with his family and the congregation. He was not shy to be first in line to grab a plate, and he was also known to select his dessert first because “you never know.” He enjoyed a good game of dominoes, and he often played with his friends at the Independence Park golf course clubhouse. Charles was also a sports fan, particularly softball and golf. He even coached. He taught the children in Japan how to play softball, and although they never won a game, they surely had good parties afterwards. As we look back on his life, we can agree that his time on earth was full of adventure, faith, and love. His love for God was abundant, and he is now resting with his Lord and Savior, free of pain.

He is survived by his wife of 61+ years Christe Maydell Pankey, his daughter Bonnie Lynn Shumate (Richard), his son John Charles Pankey (Rachelle Hallmark), his grandchildren Amanda Marie Moon, Robyn Denise Garza (Rolando), Josiah Daniel Pankey, and Keren Eve Pankey, his great-grandchild Benjamin Charles Garza, his sister Mary Sue Cawood (Ted), his brothers Dennis Pankey (Debbie), Bruce Pankey, and James Pankey. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Loretta Marie Rowe Pankey and Charles Roy Pankey, Sr.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 2:00 pm at First Methodist Church in Gonzales with Dr. Matt Pennington officiating and Christina Menking as the organist.

Please join the family afterwards at the fellowship hall for refreshments.

Honorary pallbearers will include William and Carolyn McGuire, Ronnie and Christina Menking, Margaret Plunkett, Roger and Dot Eberle, and Robert Remschel.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the First Methodist Church of Gonzales.

Friends and family may leave their condolences online by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com

All services are under the care and direction of Seydler – Hill Funeral Home of Gonzales, TX.

 

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