Charles Herbert Massey Jr.

1925 - 2005

Charles Herbert Massey Jr., 80, retired owner of well-known local landmark Massey's Restaurant, died peacefully at his home Thursday, Sept. 22, 2005, surrounded by his family.

Funeral: 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Greenwood Chapel. Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Greenwood Funeral Home.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of North Texas, 1840 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76103.

Charles was born Feb. 8, 1925, in Fort Worth. As a young man, he loved to fish in Mary's Creek and spend the night by the Trinity River, where he and his friends would snatch watermelons and cantaloupes to eat. His love of fishing, hunting and the outdoors was shared with many loved ones throughout his life, and there are many good times to remember.

After attending Arlington Heights High School, he joined the Navy at age 17 and served his country during World War II in the South Pacific. His first invasion took place that same year on Halloween night. Charles was on the personal staff for Adm. T.B. Britton and drove landing craft for the invasions of Okinawa, North Solomon Islands, Saipan and Guam. Charles sailed aboard the USS Hopkin (DMS-13), USS Chilton (AP A-38) and USS Ormsby (AP A-49).

After the war, he worked as a carpenter and spent five years on the LAPD. He met such celebrities as Howard Hughes and Zsa Zsa Gabor. After spending many years in California, where he established his own water pump company, Charles returned to Fort Worth in 1972, after his mother died, to take over the family business. Charles showed his continued support and appreciation to local law enforcement by offering many free meals and half-price discounts to them at Massey's Restaurant. He was a very charitable man, giving food to the homeless and providing support to those in need.

Later in life, Charles learned to love the game of golf and enjoyed a good race at the track. Each week he would get together with his buddies for a game of poker. His unique ability to connect with others created many loyal friendships that will never be forgotten.

Charles considered himself unusually lucky, and always made the best of what he was dealt. He was often heard saying, "One should never live the same day twice." It was this belief that gave him the passion to greet each day with enthusiasm and the confidence to face any challenge on his own terms.

He will be remembered for his handsome good looks, fun and gregarious personality, hard work and loyalty to friends. He was greatly loved and will be missed by all those who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Charles Herbert Massey and Lillian Cone Massey; and his daughter, Lynn Slover.

Survivors: Loving wife, Diane; children, Lisa Massey-Perkins and husband, Braxton, and Steve Massey and wife, Jody; former spouse, Cecelia Ann Wold and their children, Charles Herbert Massey III and wife, Susan, Melissa Ann Webber and husband, Steve, and Dr. John Edward Massey and wife, Dr. Denise Massey; grandchildren, Lisa Gertsch and husband, Guy, Brent Massey and wife, Heidi, Michael Massey, Steven Massey, Jennifer Hoye and husband, Ryan, Katherine Webber, Jessica Massey, Caitlin Massey, Bradley Massey and Brandon Massey; and great-grandchildren, Scott Campbell, Rachel Campbell, Ali Gertsch, Brooke Gertsch, Adam Gertsch, Megan Massey and Mia Massey.