Charles Lasalle

Captain Charles Carlton Chuck LaSalle U.S. Air Force retired, 76, passed away on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at his home in Abilene. His funeral service with Pastor Doug Dirks officiating will be held at 11:30 AM on Monday, January 3, 2011 at Grace Lutheran Church, 1202 S. Pioneer Dr. with burial following at 1:00 PM at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Sunday at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 HWY 277 South.

Charles was born on October 18, 1934 in Springfield, Missouri the son of Ralph Carlton LaSalle and Marie Irene Holmes LaSalle. He moved to Galveston when he was 10 years old where he graduated from Ball High School and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. While in the Air Force, he earned his BS in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Wyoming and his Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Texas AM University. Some highlights of his military career included working with NASA on the Space Aeronautics Atlas Program, working on the design of the Flow Facility for laser beams and being a part of the F16 Aircraft project. After retirement from the Air Force, Charles worked 26 years as a Nuclear Engineer with the State of Texas. He was a member of the Texas Professional Association of Engineers.

Charles was a longtime faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday school for many years. He also enjoyed being involved with Bible Study Fellowship. You could always strike up a conversation with Charles by bringing up his grandkids, the Bible, gardening or his beautiful roses.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Mary LaSalle his children, Katherine Lee Kelly and husband Patrick of Kingwood, Jane Marie Stout and husband James of Mansfield, Ralph William LaSalle and wife Letha of Abilene and Jennifer Ann Gilmore and husband Michael of Santa Fe, New Mexico 7 grandchildren, Kevin and Mark Stout, Devin and Owen Kelly, Chad LaSalle, Mena and Ciaran Gilmore and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations are suggested to Hendrick Hospice Care, PO Box 1922, Abilene, Texas 79604 or Grace Lutheran Church, 1202 S. Pioneer, Abilene, Texas 79605.

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Sunday, January 2, 2011
5:00 to 7:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Grace Lutheran ChurchHa
1202 S. Pioneer Dr.
Abilene, TX  79605
Monday, January 3, 2011
11:30 AM

Cemetery

Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene
7457 W. Lake Road
Abilene, TX  79601

Memorial Contributions

PO Box 1922
Abilene, TX  79604


1202 S. Pioneer Dr.
Abilene, TX  79605