Charles Nethery

Charles Nethery, of Virginia Beach, VA, died early Friday morning, October 18, 2002. Charles Nethery was born in Jackson, Tennessee, January 24, 1910. His family moved to Houston in 1922. Charlie, as he was known by his friends, was married to Pauline Adams on June 30, 1928. Shortly after marriage Charlie began work at KPRC in Houston, Texas where he gave the daily stock market reports as well as various announcing and programming duties throughout the day. Following his stint at KPRC, Charlie went to work for KXYZ in Houston on January 1, 1930 He regularly announced local concerts and variety shows featuring such personalities of yesterday as Perry Como, Tyrone Power, Henry Fonda, Clark Gable and many others. One of his more infamous radio assignments was being tied to the antenna atop of the old Gulf Building in downtown Houston to report an incoming hurricane. Following KXYZ, Charlie began his association with T. Frank Smith Sr. and the Gulf Coast Broadcasting Company that would eventually lead him to Corpus Christi, Texas. It was in 1946 that he was instrumental in establishing the first NBC affiliate radio station in that city. Ten years later he was a pioneer again having been involved in the launching of KRIS (TV) -- the first full-power NBC affiliate in South Texas. At KRIS-TV he was Vice-President of Programming as well as the lead anchorman for the evening news. As a "Veteran Newscaster", Charlie was highly respected by his peers in broadcasting having received numerous awards for his community service. As part of his later broadcasting duties he wrote his own weekly "editorials" where he addressed community issues and public concerns. He retired from KRIS-TV in 1976 to devote his retirement years to traveling and enjoying his grandchildren. In an article published by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times upon his retirement in 1976, T. Frank "Bo" Smith, Jr. said of Charles Nethery, "He is the ideal person you would want to have work for you. He is meticulously honest. There is not enough good things you can say about the guy". Shortly after retirement, Charlie and Pauline moved from Corpus Christi, Texas to Virginia Beach, Virginia. Charles Nethrey is survived by his wife of 74 years, Ina Pauline; two daughters, Mrs. Beverly Jean Venezia of Surprise, AZ and Mrs. Anne Elizabeth Gimenez of Virginia Beach, VA; five grandchildren, Joseph R. Campbell, Jr. of Los Angeles, CA, Michael C. Campbell of Virginia Beach, VA, Stephen P. Campbell of Corpus Christi, TX, and Timothy P. Campbell of Geneva, IL, and Robin Blanchard of Virginia Beach, VA; seven great-grandchildren; Christopher Campbell of Los Angeles, CA, Matthew C. Campbell and Catherine Campbell of Corpus Christi, TX, Zoe Campbell , Kristin Campbell, Amelia Blanchard all of Virginia Beach, VA, Timothy P. Campbell, Jr. and Jonathan R. Campbell both of Geneva, IL; one great-great granddaughter, Cidney Campbell of Virginia Beach, VA. Funeral services were held by Rev. John Gimenez and Rev. Timothy Campbell on Monday, October 21, 2002 at Rock Church in Virginia Beach, VA.