Charles Bingaman

Charles Gordon Bingaman, 87, of Abilene, Texas, passed away following a brief but courageous battle with cancer on November 26, 2022, in Abilene.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 9, 2022, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Abilene.

Charles was born on September 22, 1935, in Port Neches, Texas, to the late Charles William Bingaman and Ina Mae Rodgers Bingaman. He married Minnie Pease on December 26, 1955, and they were blessed with 65 years together until her passing on January 21, 2021.

He was an excellent student at Port Neches Groves High School and was a pitcher on their baseball team. He loved to build model airplanes and enjoyed working on cars as well.  He attended East Texas Baptist College and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from Baylor University.  He was also a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Church Music degree. He served ten churches in Texas and Tennessee, influencing countless people for the Lord throughout his days in the ministry. He was called to be the Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Abilene in 1976. He served in that position until 1981, at which time he started his second career - as a computer programmer for Hendrick Medical Center, retiring after 20 years in 2001. He and Minnie continued to attend First Baptist Church and Charles was ordained as a Deacon in 1982.  He was honored to be named Deacon Emeritus in 2012.

Charles was a man of service to the Lord and his fellow man. After his retirement he and Minnie went on to serve by volunteering for City Light Community Ministries in Abilene and traveling throughout Texas in their work with Texas Baptist Men – Camp Builders (TBM). He would assist in the construction of everything from roofing, plumbing, and framing, to building furniture while Minnie worked in the camp office. Their dear friends from “early marriage” days, John and Carolyn Rushing, introduced them to TBM and they made many more friends working with that organization. Charles and Minnie also loved to travel in their RV and visited all 48 states and Canada, being on the road for months at a time. Charles was an avid photographer and documented their trips with many beautiful photos. During their travels, they managed to stay in touch with numerous friends from all the places they had lived and served. They both truly enjoyed their final home in Abilene, a cottage at Wisteria Place.  Many new, close friendships were made there as they hosted parties in their cottage and joined every activity offered.

Charles is survived by his sister, Judy Lane and husband Jim of Houston; his brother-in-law John Pease and wife Judy of Cameron; four children: D’Anna Smith and husband Larry of Abilene, Randall Bingaman and wife Julie of Abilene, Gordon Bingaman and wife Marian of Austin, and Andrea Zureick and husband Aaron of San Bernardino, California; thirteen grandchildren: Clayton Smith of Austin; Hallie Bingaman of Fort Worth; Michael Bingaman of San Francisco, California; Austin and Katherine Smith of Nashville, Tennessee; Mallory and Michael Crocker of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Ashley Barrett of Rowlett; Douglas Bingaman of London, England; Olivia Bingaman of Austin; Sam Zureick of Manchester, England; Nina Zureick and Charlie Zureick of San Bernardino, California; and one great-grandson: Harrison Taylor Smith of Nashville, Tennessee.   There are many additional relatives who loved him very much and numerous others who considered him a very dear friend and mentor.

Memorial donations can be made to the Music Ministry of First Baptist Church, Abilene; Texas Baptist Men – Camp Builders; or Hendrick Hospice of Abilene.