Charles Weems

Charles Douglas Weems, 75, passed away on December 25, 2016 after a long illness. Charles was born on October 9, 1941 in Sweetwater, Texas to Onda Ray Weems and Lorene Agusta Strobel Weems. After graduating Sweetwater High School, Charles attended Hardin Simmons University and West Texas State University. Music was always his passion and he was a talented drummer and percussionist. While in college, Charles' high school band director, Pat Patterson, set up an audition for him with the Air Force and Charles was selected and served four years in the Air Force Band in San Antonio, TX. Throughout his life, he was part of numerous bands from New York and Chicago to Florida and, of course, Texas. In Houston, he played with the Ronnie Sims Quartet. He also had a talent for cameras and owned the Houston Camera Repair. His business took him to NASA to help repair lenses used in space. His joy in life was sharing his talents with his grandchildren by teaching them to play the drums and spending as much time with them as possible. He enjoyed each of their accomplishments and many talents. Charles was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 26 years, Lea Krell Weems, and by his son-in law Boe Paulson. He is survived by his children and stepchildren: Chris and Sandra Weems, Heather Paulson, Judy and Mark Mucasey, David and Jordana Markowitz, Jeff and Yiota Markowitz, and Gary and Sunni Markowitz. His 15 grandchildren knew him as "Opa" and he will be missed by them all: Blayne Weems, Colten Weems, Ryker Weems, Alex Paulson, Ariel and Steven Becker, Evan Mucasey, Marshall Mucasey, Ethan Markowitz, Zachary Markowitz, Alexandros Markowitz, Melina Markowitz, Abbie Markowitz, Brooke Markowitz, and Casey Markowitz. Charles was very fortunate to find Barbara Sadoff late in life. She was a caring and dear friend who blessed Charles with love and companionship, and she will miss him deeply. Ruth Krell Steinfeld, his loving sister-in-law, will also miss Charles' friendship and their shared memories. The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses who cared for Charles through his difficult illness and, in particular, Dr. Sada at the Veterans Administration. The interment will take place on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet Street, Houston. Rabbi Steven Morgen of Congregation Beth Yeshurun will officiate. Charles was deeply committed to the history and memory of his wife, a Holocaust survivor. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, you may make a contribution to Holocaust Museum Houston, or a charity of your choice.

Charles Weems

October 9, 1941 - December 25, 2016