CYPRESS, Texas — Charles Lucas McLemore, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away Thursday, July 24, in Cypress, Texas. He was 80 years old.
A visitation will be held Saturday, Aug. 2, at Klein Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at Cypress Methodist Church. He will ten make his final trip home to Mississippi to be laid to rest at Charleston Cemetery Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m.
Born on November 11, 1944, in Richton, Mississippi, Charles was the son of Margaret M. McLemore and Benjamin Lucas McLemore. He spent his early years in Jackson, where he attended Murrah High School, and later completed his secondary education at Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama.
Charles went on to study economics at Mississippi College, when he met the love of his life, Patsy Amy White. The two were married on June 12, 1966, beginning a devoted partnership that would span 59 years. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economics in May 1968 and enlisted in the United States Air Force the following week. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant after completing Officer’s Training School, Charles pursued pilot training before serving as Supply Operations Officer for the Air Combat Command at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. He rose to the rank of Captain before receiving an honorable discharge on June 1, 1972.
That same year, during a stop in Houston to visit his cousin on the way back to Mississippi, Charles decided to make Houston his permanent home.
In 1972, Charles began a long and fulfilling career with Hughes Tool Company, later BakerHughes, where he worked until his retirement in 2008.
He and Patsy welcomed two children — Margaret Ruth in 1969 and Todd Lucas in 1973 —building a life centered on love, faith, and quiet strength.
Charles was an active member of the community, volunteering in retirement at Cypress United Methodist Church, Millsap Elementary School, and the Lone Star Flight Museum. Whether serving his country, his coworkers, or his community, Charles lived with humility, integrity, and a deep sense of purpose.
He is survived by his loving wife, Patsy McLemore; daughter, Margaret Ruth Barnett and her husband, Greg Barnett; son, Todd Lucas McLemore and his wife, Tisha McLemore; and five cherished grandchildren, Bridget Ruth Barnett, Brenda Joyce Barnett, Abigail Grace McLemore, Samuel Lucas McLemore and William Montgomery McLemore. He is also survived by many cousins and dear friends who will remember his kindness, generosity and unconditional love for his family.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Benjamin McLemore.
His life was a testament to duty, devotion, and quiet leadership. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
The family requests any memorials be made to Cypress Methodist Church, 13403 Cypress N. Houston Rd, Cypress, TX 77429.
Online condolences may be made at www.womblefuneralhome.com.
