CHARLES STEWART “CHARLIE” LEYENDECKER

1934-2021

Charles Stewart “Charlie” Leyendecker passed away unexpectedly on Monday, the 5th of July 2021, surrounded by his family while in Florida celebrating his 64th wedding anniversary with his best friend and wife, Millie. He was 86 years of age.

His primary home was in Houston where he was born and raised. Charlie attended Lamar High School, where he played football as a tackle, and received his business degree from Southern Methodist University where he was a standout 2-way lineman. Charlie was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

After graduating from SMU, Charlie was drafted by the Green Bay Packers. Charlie played with and against many Hall of Famers and loved to tell stories of the old Southwest Conference.

Charlie spent most of his professional life in real estate and, at one time, was the largest builder of singlefamily homes in Houston. More recently, Charlie was a successful developer and apartment builder throughout Texas. Charlie was twice President of the Greater Houston Home Builders Association, President of the Texas Builders Association, and served on several committees for the National Association of Home Builders. He was President of the Bay Area Builders Association, a life member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, active in the development of South Shore Harbor and Cinco Ranch master-planned communities and was appointed to many committees and Boards for the improvement of Houston. Charlie was a member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church.

He loved spending time with his family and friends and remained close to many friends from high school and college. Charlie was a proud husband, father, grandfather, and father-in-law, and loved taking his granddaughters to lunch.

Charlie was a selfless and compassionate man who was warm and kind to everyone he met. He had a magnetic personality and was a great storyteller. Charlie’s happiest moments were with his family at his home in Florida.

Charlie is predeceased by his parents, Portia Stewart and Charles “Tex” Leyendecker; and his brother,

Barry Leyendecker. Charlie is survived by his wife Millie; daughters, Stacy Leyendecker Jacob and her husband

Sada, and Lorie Leyendecker Herod and her husband Steve; granddaughters, Meredith and Morgan Herod; his nieces, nephews and cousins; and his beloved dog, Ellie.

He also had a special place in his heart for Patricia, Tony and Amine Yacob.

The family will gather for a private interment at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston where the Rev. Dr. Jim Jackson will officiate.

Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are Steve Herod, Michael Hueske, Sada Jacob, Noel Nunez, and Amine and Tony Yacob.

Friends and family are invited to gather and share remembrances during a reception and celebration of life from three until five o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 14th of July, in the Potomac Room of The Houston Country Club, 1 Potomac Drive in Houston.

In honor of Charlie, friends and family may consider directing donations to the SMU Athletic Department, Mustang Excellence Fund Football, 5800 Ownby Dr., Dallas, Texas 75275; or to the animal charity of one’s choice.

Please visit Charlie’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.