Charley Tisdale

Charley Tisdale was born in Weslaco, Texas, on June 18, 1933. His parents, Emmett Earl and Nellie Mae (Davis) Tisdale, were farmers in the Rio Grande Valley.

Charley passed peacefully from this world on September 15, 2026, in Keller, Texas in the presence of his loving daughters.

At the age of 13, Charley was chosen by FFA to go to the Houston Fat Stock Show to be in the calf scramble. He did catch a calf and took the calf back to Houston the following year, where he won a ribbon.

In high school, Charley loved sports. He played baseball and football. His senior year, he made the All Star Valley Baseball League. He did hit 2 homeruns in one game and had a .333 batting average.

Charley met Gladys Etter in high school, and they were married on June 20, 1952. This marriage lasted 63 years until July 18, 2015, when his beautiful wife passed away.

Charley and Gladys had five children: Charlotte Ruth, Susan Kay Moore (Don), Joy Carol Reily (Paul), Charles Freeman (deceased) and Jan Ellen Niece. Their grandchildren include Tisha Shaw, Drew Moore, Amy Brown, Elly Wachendorfer, Keith Brown, Charles Wachendorfer, Nathan Tisdale and Molly Rose. They have a small tribe of great-grands: Hayden Moore, Kaylee and Kaylynn Moore, Charlee Aldas, Elaina Wachendorfer, Sophie Brown, Everett Brown, Kennedy Brown, Rowyn Brown, Mabel Brown and Dorian Brown, and some special fur grands.

Charley served in the US Army for 2 years and afterwards went to Pan American College.

In 1957, Charley and Gladys moved to Arlington, Texas, where he started work for Canada Dry Corporation. After nine years, he left Canada Dry to join Oscar Meyer as Regional Vice President over 16 food brokers in the Southwest Region. In 1975, Charley began a food brokerage firm of his own. Several mergers and buy-outs later, his firm became the top brokerage firm in the North Texas area.

During these years, Charley and Gladys enjoyed traveling to many countries in Europe and Central America. He sold his company in 1997, and he and Gladys moved to Runaway Bay, where they lived on the fourth fairway. Charley was voted President of the HOA and also served on the Parks Board.

Gladys took up golf and quickly became a great golfer, even making a hole in one during a July 4th tournament for which she won a trip to Puerto Rico and a set of nice clubs – as well as bragging rights. Charley never had a hole in one and is still mad about it!

In “retirement,” Charley wanted to stay busy, so in 1999 he started another food brokerage business catering only to convenience stores. He continued working until he reached 90.

Charley and Gladys attended the First Baptist Church in Decatur while living in Runaway Bay – both are believers.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, beginning at 10:30 am at Paradise Cove at Grapevine Lake, 3029 Midway Road, Grapevine, TX 76092.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Charley's name to your favored charity, or his -- Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County.

Hawkins Funeral Home Bridgeport

940-683-2211

www.hawkinsfuneralhome.com