CHARLES LEO DUMIS
Charles (Charlie) Leo Dumis passed away at his home in Fort Worth, TX, April 15, 2020 due to complications from Altzheimer’s Disease. He was born November 6, 1936 in Bowie County, TX. He was a member of Saginaw United Methodist Church in Saginaw, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sallie “Evelyn” Dunham Dumis and Claude Erastus Dumis, Sr.; two sisters, Loretta Evelyn Dumis Hall and Deanna Lee Dumis Wilson; one brotherin-law, Norman Hall; one son, Robert David Dumis; one grandchild, Sasha Jacqueline Dumis; and one sister-in-law, Cynthia Jean George Priest. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda Sharleen George Dumis; three sons, Ryan Denis Dumis, Russell Dean Dumis and wife, Kellye Ann Smith Dumis, and Andrew Craig Droubi; two granddaughters, Autumn Nichole Dumis and Haley Anna Smith; one grandson, Carson Tyler Droubi; one brother, Claude Erastus Dumis, Jr.; one sister and brother-in-law, Sarah Jane Dumis Westfall and husband James; two brothers-in-law, Willie Joe Wilson and Richard Harold George; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Charlie graduated from Texas Tech University in 1958 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and remained to teach Thermo Dynamics for a year. He subsequently worked as a civilian engineer supporting the Air Force in Oklahoma City, and then for General Dynamics on the Atlas missile system silos near Altus, Oklahoma. He continued working for General Dynamics in California, before finding his way to Brown Engineering in Huntsville, Alabama, where he worked on the Saturn IV system that would lead him to NASA in Houston, TX in 1964. From 1964-1966, he worked in the Apollo Flight Systems Branch, Flight Control Division. From 1967-1969, he was the Electrical and Environmental Systems (EECOM) Officer, CSM Systems Branch of Flight Control Division. From 1970 -1983, he was Head (and EECOM), Environmental Systems Section, Electrical and Environmental Systems Branch. From 1983-1984, he worked in the Vehicle Systems Integration Office of the Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) and from 1984-1986, in the Space Station Operations Integration Office of MOD. He retired from NASA in 1986, but continued working there for various contractors, including Rockwell, Hernandez Engineering, United Space Alliance and Boeing, in support of the continuing space program. After several years of doing consulting work at NASA, he finally retired in 2012, having served there 48 years. He was the recipient of many performance and achievement awards, but his Silver Snoopy Award brought him the most pride.
Charlie coached Little League baseball for many years and was an Eagle Scout. After retiring, he worked with the Learning for Life Program, which was part of the Boy Scouts of America, traveling to middle and high schools telling students about his career and stressing the importance of education, especially in the engineering field. He began working with a project called Wheelchair Ramps of Texas, building ramps for those with that need. He was also a member and past president of the Noon Lion’s Club in New Boston, TX. He was smart, funny, and generous with his time and money.
The family does not require anything such as flowers, but a gift may be made to the charity of your choice in memory of him. A memorial service will be held at a time that will accommodate a gathering of more than ten people at 1) Saginaw United Methodist Church, 209 S. Bluebonnet St., Saginaw, TX 76179, (817-232-0390), and at 2) Tapp United Methodist Church, 715 S. McCoy Blvd. New Boston, TX, 75570, (903-628-2381). Interment will follow at Chapelwood Cemetery in Nash, TX.