Charles Montgomery Nettles

CHARLES MONTGOMERY NETTLES passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2003 after 80 wonderful years. He was born on March 14, 1923 in Montpelier, Idaho to Florence and Pendleton Nettles. He grew up in Alexandria, Louisiana and graduated from Bolton High School in 1940. He received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Texas A & M University and a Master's degree from the University of Houston. Like so many others, the war fever caught him and he volunteered to be a Navy Aviation Cadet where the V5 program took him through the program in Athens, Georgia and Dallas, Texas finalizing his flight training at NAS Pensacola, Florida. Charlie, upon grad- uation, was selected for the Marine Corps so he left Florida with a "Marine Green" uniform, Second Lieutenant bars and gold Navy Wings. His next orders were for MCAS El Centro and flying the famous torpedo aircraft called TBF-TBM in July 1943. A few months later his new assignment was MCAS Santa Barbara where he was a Corsair Fighter Pilot and a new member of the Fighting Falcons, VMF 221. Charlie embarked with the squadron on the USS Bunker Hill and he became a carrier pilot to fight the war against the Japanese in their homeland of Honshu and Kyushu. He participated in fighter-bomber air support for the Landings on Iwo Jima and the big fight at Okinawa. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and 4 Air Medals for his actions in combat. At the end of World War II, Charlie returned to civilian life, retained his Reserve Commission, and again served his country in the Korean War as a Forward Air Controller and a tour as liaison officer with the Korean Marines. He remained in the Marine Reserves Detachment until he retired in 1966. Charlie remained very close to his Marine Corp "buddies." They talked frequently, had reunions, and are writing a book entitled The Fighting Falcons: The Saga of Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-221. His dedication to the Marine Corp. was seen daily when he signed every letter with "Semper Fi" and he constantly said, "Once a Marine, always a Marine." Charlie was an active member of the Masonic Lodge # 298 in Alexandria, LA, the Scottish Rite Houston Consestory, the Arabia Shriners, Houston Engineering and Scientific Society, Lakeside Country Club, the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, the Petroleum Club of Houston, the Marine Corps Association, the Navy League of the United States Marine Corps., the Reserve Officers Association, the Association of United States Army, the Retired Officers Association, and the Marine Corps Aviator Association. He worked at Tex-Trude, Inc., the family-owned plastic manufacturing facility, since 1952 where he served as President and later as Chairman of the Board. He arrived at work every morning at 4 A.M. with a smile on his face. He worked up until his death and will be deeply missed by his employees at Tex-Trude. Charlie was recently preceded in death by his wife, Rose Marie, his parents, Florence and Pendleton Nettles, and his brother, Eugene Nettles, who was killed in World War II. He is survived by his three children, Eugene Nettles and wife Corliss, Kathleen Nettles Heidtmann and husband Ken, Charlie Nettles and wife Betsy, all of Houston. Charlie had five grandchildren; Katie, Charlie, Paige, and Kelly Nettles, and Layne Heidtmann. Known as "Pop" by his five grandchildren, he always placed his family and friends first in his life. He was a loving father, grandfather, and friend to many. He was blessed with many gifts, especially his loving heart, overwhelming generosity to everyone he met, and his unconditional loyalty to his family and friends. The Honorary Pall Bearers are L.D. Blackwell, Jack Dale, Ed Potter, Lloyd Davis, Ed Christy, Sam Dolan, Lloyd Fadrique, C.C. Dudley, Bob Goff, Tony Peterson, George Peterson, Richard Mulberry, Alan Gugenheim, and Mike Tomforde. A Celebration of Charlie's life will be held at Lakeside Country Club on Sunday, November 30, 2003 from 6 - 8 P.M. Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held on Monday, December 1, 2003 at 11 A.M. at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston Texas, 77038 with The Most Reverend Vincent M. Rizzotto officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to CanCare of Houston, 9575 Katy Freeway, Suite 428, Houston TX. 77024, the March of Dimes - Texas Gulf Coast Chapter, 3000 Weslayan, Suite 100, Houston, TX. 77027, or the Lupus Foundation - Texas Chapter, 3730 Kirby Dr., Houston, TX. 77098.