Charles Edgar Nash III

1933 - 2015

Charles Edgar Nash III, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, died suddenly Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, in his 82nd year. Graveside service: 3 p.m. Monday in Greenwood Memorial Park. A celebration of Charles' life will follow in The Live Oak Room at Greenwood. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a charity of choice. Charles was born May 16, 1933, to Charles Edgar Nash Jr. and Catherine Kidd Nash. Charles was the fourth generation of his family born in Fort Worth. He attended Charles E. Nash elementary school, named for his grandfather. He graduated from Paschal High School and attended TCU. Charles began working at an early age in the family business, Nash Hardware, until boredom and his passion for water skiing led him and his wife, Wynell, to create that first pair of skis in their garage. Together they built the iconic brand of Nash into the largest water ski and skateboard manufacturer in the world. The company still exists today. One of the first Nash skateboards is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and Charles is still considered famous in the California boarding community, which amazed him. He built his first ski boat, earned his pilot's license and flew his own plane all before the age of 21, until his mother found out. Eventually he bought his own jet and hired two pilots, which he insisted was much safer. His enthusiasm for deep-sea fishing took him in pursuit of the largest fish to the oceans of Australia, Baja, Mexico, Peru, Panama, Texas and his beloved Bahamas. Proudest catches include the 1,080-pound black marlin off the Great Barrier Reef and his last catch, a 900-pound giant blue fin tuna caught in the waters of Cat Cay, Bahamas, on his famous yacht, The Kaydiddle, named for his only child. He enjoyed many, many happy days at his second home in Fort Lauderdale and at The Cat Cay Yacht Club, Bahamas, where he was a cherished member for many years and a bashful legend. Charles had a thirst for information and a deep curiosity and was an eager mentor to people of all ages and walks of life. He encouraged the best from everyone and demanded it of himself. He loved music and he liked it loud! He always had a plan. After losing his precious wife of 54 years, Wynell, he found love again with his adoring and devoted wife, Deborah Alexander Nash, seven years ago. When he said, "Come fly with me," she said, "I will," and they did, all over the world on new adventures. He is remembered as humble, kind, generous, brilliant and dynamic. He had the greatest smile on earth and, now, in heaven. The family would like to express special thanks to Vicki Samuelson, Dr. Peter Damico, Donna Taylor and Jacque Lasister. Survivors: Wife, Deborah; daughter, Catherine Nash Coscio; son-in-law, John; granddaughters, Rachel Nash Kapila and husband, Ranjit, and their children, Ash and Oz, Charlotte Lee Ice Sammons and husband, John, and their expected daughter, and Amanda Victoria Ice and husband, Erik Shea, and their son, Kasper Charles Ice Shea, born the day after Charles' death; sister-in-law, Carolyn Parker and husband, Coy; niece and nephew, Belinda and Montgomery Johnson; nephew, Brian Parker; sister, Millie Scott and nephew, William Scott, and family; father-in-Law, Edward Leon Alexander; brother-in-law, David Alexander and wife, Cheryl, and their children, Brandon and Madeline; chosen son, Keith Parten and wife, Caren, and their sons, Bryce and Chase; and a host of friends.