Charles Allen Shoemake died peacefully on May 3, 2012 at home in Thornburg, Virginia. He was 73. Charles is survived by his wife Ellen; daughter Jennifer Schneider and Steve and granddaughters Haley and Brooke of Leesburg; son Craig Shoemake and Young OK of Boston; two sisters, Jo Nell Robertson and Bob of Freer, Margaret . Jenschke and Melvin of Tyler; one brother Marlin Shoemake of San Antonio; nieces and nephews Doug Roby, Barbara Pena, Roberta Brieden, Larry Robertson, Bobby and Daryl Shoemake, Keith Jenschke and Keele Steglich.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marlin Sr., Winnie Arine Jones Shoemake, his sister Audrey Roby Mercer, his first wife Mathilde Shoemake.

Charles attended Freer High School, graduated from Jourdanton High playing all district football for the Indians in 1956. He then went on to graduate from the University of Texas, Bachelor of Arts in 1960 and a Master of Arts degree in 1964. Charles’ career spanned several decades in the Goddard Space Flight Center, operations control for Apollo 17, Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, then Computer Science Corporation until his early retirement.

Charles was an accomplished marksman, a member of the NRA, competed in regional championships and the NRS International Team Tryouts. He loved hunting, fishing, reading, writing, gardening, building and was inspirational in so many ways. He was able to create beauty by connecting the wonders of nature, science, math, art and gardening. He inspired us to look at the many possibilities life has to offer. His humble Texas roots helped him keep life in perspective and he was a man of honor. His love of architecture, planning and building guided him in his creativity. Charles’ spirit will be our guiding angel as we continue our journey without his physical presence.

A private service will be held at the Brummett family cemetery in Devine. Charles’ family requests any expression of remembrance may be a donation to the Brummett Family Cemetery in Texas.