Charles Ray Colson passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, July 25th, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 80. Visitation will be held Friday, August 4, 2023 from 5-7PM at Colonial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 10AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3408 North Ben Wilson. Interment will begin at 2PM at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Charles was born on November 16, 1942 in Houston, Texas to John Charles Colson and Leta Mae Morrow. Charles lived the majority of his life in Victoria, Texas. His very first job was working at the local Dairy Treet when he was 16 and he graduated from Victoria High School in 1961. He then attended Victoria College and graduated from Victoria Beauty College and was a licensed hair stylist and salon owner for almost 60 years. Charles was never one to shy away from a challenge. After several years of research, hard work and building prototypes, he received a patent in 1992 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for his Hot Watts warming unit and it was selected to be displayed at the National Inventors Expo in Washington, DC. He also furthered his professional skills by becoming a licensed massage therapist in 1993. Charles always cared about wanting his customers to look and feel better and he was even an advice columnist in the Victoria Advocate, called “Ask Chuck”, so that he could share his knowledge of hair care and massage therapy with others.
In November 1963, Charles married Analla (Nell) Monney and together they raised their daughter, Renae. Charles then met Paul and loved spending time with him and his extended family from Yoakum, TX. He would often take walks through his backyard “oasis” to admire the beautiful flower and vegetable gardens cultivated by Paul. He always looked forward to visits with his daughter, Renae and her family in Round Rock, TX – and he especially enjoyed attending special school or church events that involved his grandchildren, Ashley & Zachary. He loved playing with his dogs, Pickles, Penny and Pebbles. He usually never let a week pass without buying a few lottery tickets and dreamed of all he could do for others if he ever hit the big jackpot. He loved listening to music by Elvis and Patsy Cline and Charles also really enjoyed performing his musical talents – doing record pantomimes, playing the piano or organ, or acting in a local musical production. He even got to act in a supporting role in two independent movies, “Wesley Cash” (2004) and “Cowboy Smoke” (2008). He always had a smile to share and loved his family and friends very much. He was a loving partner, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
Charles is survived by his partner, Paul Evans; daughter, Renae (Stan) Duncan; grandchildren, Ashley and Zachary Duncan; siblings, Leta (Sam) Reeves, Brenda Martin and James Colson; nieces and nephews and their children; former spouse, Nell Colson; and his Yoakum Munson family.
Charles is preceded in death by his father, John Charles Colson; mother, Leta Mae Morrow; and sister, Cathy Colson.
