Emile O. Champion

Emile O. Champion, descendant of a pioneer Brownsville family, passed into God’s loving hands at age 82 on August 13, 2007, following a long, hard-fought battle with Lewy Body Disease. Known truly as “Dad� to his family, “Popo� to his grandkids and great-grandkids, “Champ� to his friends, and “Emile� or “Daddy� to Kay, his loving wife of 61 years. Emile was born September 4, 1924, in Brownsville, Texas. He was predeceased by his parents, A.A. and Isabell Crixell Champion, and sister Mary “Chickie� Henggeler. Emile graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Brownsville, where he excelled in classes, played football, and ran track before serving as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Medical Corp in Europe during World War II. One good thing that came of “the war� was the meeting of Kay, who as a Registered Nurse and Lieutenant, outranked him. Being the rebels that they were at the time, they dated anyway, fell in love, and married on April 27, 1946. Immediately following the war and their wedding, Emile and Kay moved to Austin, Texas where Emile graduated from the University of Texas School of Pharmacy. He spent his career in the pharmacy profession, ultimately owning his own store, The Prescription Center, in Alice for many years. It was here that he created a lasting legacy, The Champion Company, makers of Dissa-Peer Tablets. But most important to Emile were Kay, family, and friends. He loved to have the family together. He held long memories of attending Longhorn football games with his grandson, Josh. He enjoyed watching all the grandkids play together at family visits. He loved to play golf, and appreciated the company of family and friends, whether it involved take-out hamburgers, backyard B-B-Q, or dinner out. Dad was always gentle, always the “mediator�, always a loving husband, dad, and grandfather. Dad is survived and terribly missed by the love of his life, Kay, and his five adult “kids�: Janis (Donald) Morrow, Nancy (Jim) Hill, Emile (Lynn) Champion, Jr., Michelle (Mike) Hadden, and James Champion. He’s also survived by grandchildren: Devon (Cristina) Morrow, Josh (Katie) Hadden, Chris (Cindy) Morrow, Amanda Morrow, David Hadden, Megan Champion, Andrew Hill, Jacob Hadden, Erin Hill, Kelsey Champion, Jackson Hill, Cam Champion, and Jonathon Hadden; and great-grandchildren Devon Morrow II, Tyler Hadden, and Laney Hadden. He’s also survived by brothers, Albert, Rudy, and Johnny Champion. The family would like to give special thanks to his doctors and caregivers, particularly our brother Jim, who dedicated the past two years of his life to care for Dad; sisters Janis and Michelle (and spouses), who were always there for Dad; and grandsons David, Jacob, and Jon, and great-grandson Devon, who juggled school and their lives while helping so much for so long in so many ways. We’d also like to extend a special “thank you� to VistaCare Hospice staff and Prime Home Health staff for their loving care. A big thank you also to his dear friend, David Venecia, whose many visits were treasured. The family is comforted by the knowledge that Dad is no longer suffering, is at home in God’s heavenly kingdom, and that we will see each other again through our faith in Jesus Christ. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at Memory Gardens Funeral Home in Corpus Christi, to be followed by a Rosary at 7:00 PM. A service celebrating Emile’s life will be held at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church at 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 16, 2007. A military ceremony and burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 17, 2007 at Fort Sam Houston Military Cemetery, located at 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road in San Antonio, Texas.