A visitation is scheduled for 9:00 am on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at Lloyd James Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 10:00 am in the chapel with Rev. Robert Carter and David Sutton officiating. He is survived by his daughters, Kathy Boyd and husband Ronnie, of Conroe; and Judy Richmond and husband Tim, of Bullard; sons, Bob Ethridge and wife Celia, of Tyler, and Mickey Ethridge and wife Cathy, of Houston; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; sister, Martha Ludwig Robichaux, of Katy and sister-in-law Betty Greer, of Montgomery. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Sunny Ethridge, brother, Joe Pat Ethridge, brothers-in-law Jimmy Lee Greer Sr. and Leeroy Ludwig; and sister-in-law, Peggy Ethridge. Charles graduated from Galena Park High School in 1945. He then served his country in the U.S. Marine Air Corps and was a World War II veteran. After his discharge he earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Houston. He married the love of his life, Lucille “Sunny” Ethridge on January 28, 1948 and spent 67 wonderful years with her. Early on in his career Charles worked for Shell Oil Company and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Co. (Transco) as an accountant. Deciding to make a career change he joined the local Carpenters Union #213 and used his skills to work both commercial and residential construction. Charles was also a gifted teacher. He taught carpentry at the Carpenters Apprentice School in Houston. Then he and Sunny moved to Gallup, New Mexico where he taught construction to the Zuni Indians at the University of New Mexico. After returning to Houston he taught GED classes at Houston Community College, was a substitute teacher at Galena Park ISD (3rd grade was his favorite) and English as a Second Language for Harris County Department of Education. Charles was a long-time member of many service organizations: Galena Park Masonic Lodge #1290, life-time member; Galena Park Chapter #490, life-time member; Galena Park Council #405, life-time member; Park Place Knights Temple #106, life-time member; Arabia Temple Shrine Houston, life-time member; Past Patron, Galena Park Chapter #884; and Galena Park Chapter #884 Order of Eastern Star, 50-year member. He was an active member of First Baptist Church Galena Park until they moved their membership to Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Tyler. At First Baptist he taught the Men’s Sunday School class for 25 years and was named Deacon Emeritus in 2006. Pallbearers will be Blaine Bailey, Matthew Ethridge, Chris Garrison, John Hudson, Parker Hudson, Jordan Martin, Mark Martin, Josh Petty, T.J. Richmond and James White. Interment will be at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, July 22 at Glendale Cemetery in Glendale, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, 75701.
In Memoriam