CHARLES LEWIS BERRY

06/08/1943 - 12/12/2022

Charles Lewis Berry, was born in Plainview, Texas on the 8th of June 1943 and passed away on Tuesday, the 13th of December 2022. He was 79 years of age. His family was living in Floydada at the time and Charles spent his early childhood there.

There were many things Charles loved in life. First and foremost, he loved his wife of 60 years, Louise Wingate. The Berry family moved to Amarillo when Charles was in 7th grade and in 9th grade Louise and Charles began dating. He attended Amarillo High School and this is where he fell in love with the game of football. He shared endless stories about playing under the direction of Bum Phillips as a guard for the Amarillo High Sandies. The discipline he gained by playing football served him throughout his academic and professional life.

His love of football led to an athletic scholarship at Tyler Junior College, which allowed him to pursue athletics and academics at the collegiate level. Louise decided it would be in her best interest to follow Charles to TJC where she could be seen dancing on the sidelines as an Apache Belle. Charles and Louise eloped their final year at TJC. Louise’s mother joked that they were “married in their loafers and Bobby socks.” Then it was on to Texas Tech and two years later the arrival of their first daughter, Christy Lynn.

Charles loved the law. In 1965, he started law school at The University of Texas in Austin. While in law school, he was Editor of the Law Review, a member of the Order of the Coif, Phi Delta Phi law fraternity, and Chancellors. It was there where he met some of his oldest and dearest friends. During his last year of law school, his second daughter, Courtney Leigh was born.

He graduated in 1968 at the top of his class and was hired by Vinson & Elkins in Houston where he practiced labor law. Shortly after moving to Houston, his third daughter Cydney Louise was born.

In 1973, the family moved to El Paso where Charles became a partner at Kemp Smith. In 1978, the family moved back to Houston where he became a partner at Vinson & Elkins and the head of the Environmental Section. Charles retired in 2003 and continued to be a presence in the office and a mentor to many attorneys.

Charles loved staying active by working out at the Center Club daily, playing tennis at the Racquet Club and golfing at Shadow Hawk. However, his love of music trumped all. His knowledge of singers, songs and bands was extensive and he could often be spotted driving with the top down listening to his favorite bands. Charles shared this love with his daughters and often took them to shows in small venues. He also treasured the summers spent in Laguna Beach, California relaxing with his family and close friends.

Charles loved his grandchildren. They fondly remember “CL” showing them his office downtown and showing them off to his co-workers.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Frances Berry. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Louise; his daughters, Christy Galtney and her husband Matt, Courtney McCabe and her husband Chris, and Cydney Padon and her husband Matthew; his grandchildren, Alexandra, Matthew and Charles Galtney; CJ, Emma, Audrey and Aidan McCabe; and Elizabeth, Catherine and Maggie Padon; his brothers Woody Berry and his wife Jan, and their children, Kennedy and Christopher; and Harold Berry; and his brothers-in-law, Tom Wingate and Ross Park.

The family is eternally grateful for the love and care provided by the Galway House. Charles’ caregivers, Jasmin, Neri, David and Nhika, cared for him with grace and unconditional love. They fondly referred to him as “Sir Charles.”

A memorial service is to be conducted at noon on Saturday, the 7th of January 2023, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where his brother, Rev. Woody Berry, is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to Vita-Living, Inc. (in honor of his brother Harold) at 3300 S. Gessner, Ste. 150, Houston, TX 77063.

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