Charles Elton Pyburn of Santa Anna, Texas went to his Heavenly home on October 27, 2020 with his wife, Frances, at his side.
Family visitation will be Thursday night from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Henderson Funeral Home in Santa Anna.
Graveside Services will be Friday at 3:00 pm at Santa Anna Cemetery Pavilion, directed by Henderson Funeral Home of Santa Anna.
He was born July 9, 1948 in Coleman, Texas to R.E. “Sie” and Margaret “June” Pyburn. He lived his early years on the river in Leaday. At the age of 12, the family moved to Voss. Charles attended Mozelle schools and graduated from Mozelle High School in 1966. He attended Angelo State University after graduation. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in March of 1968.
He met Frances Louise Oakes in the summer of 1966 and they were married on June 8, 1968. They moved to Ft. Devens, Massachusetts where Charles trained in the U.S. Army Security Agency Training Center and School learning various radio transmission codes. He was deployed to Vietnam in June of 1969 where he served until June of 1970 receiving The Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service. He was honorably discharged in October of 1971 holding the rank of Specialist 5.
Charles and Frances returned to Coleman County where Charles worked as an over-the-road truck driver for a number of years. He then worked as a John Deere parts man at Johnson Implement in Coleman from 1985 until his retirement in 2014. He understood the life of a farmer and would often meet them after hours and on the weekends to get them back up and running in the fields.
Charles enjoyed fishing, playing countless games of croquet with his grandchildren and family vacations.
Charles is survived by his wife of 52 years, Frances Pyburn, of Santa Anna.
Three Daughters – Lana and husband, Doug Gilder, of Streetman, Texas; Shelby and husband Keith Gould of Aubrey, Texas and Elizabeth Beard of Arlington.
Grandchildren – Jeffrey Gilder, Amber Griffin, Jessica Gilder, Chaney Gilder and Drew Ann Gilder, Joshua Brown, Brandon Beard and Britton Beard.
Great-Grandchildren – Luke, Zachary and Vixie Gilder and Abigail and Erica Griffin.
Mother – June Pyburn of Santa Anna
Brothers – Bruce Pyburn and wife Pauline of Flora Vista, New Mexico; Doyle Wayne Pyburn and wife, Weda, of Leaday.
Two Uncles – C.D. “Red” Pyburn of Voss; Danny Cordell of Palestine, Texas.
One Aunt – Geraldine Stewart of Abilene.
Several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Sie Pyburn.