Charles L. Tighe

On January 12, 2018, Charles Louis (Charlie) Tighe teed off on the first hole of heaven's golf course. Charlie was born in Mexia, Texas, on February 2, 1928 to Louis Thomas and Rachel Sherrill Tighe. He spent his childhood in Conroe, Texas, where his father was a manager for Texaco. At nine his family moved to Houston, and lived on University Blvd. across from Rice University, where he sold papers, shined shoes and helped drunk sports fans locate their cars after games to earn money to buy US Savings Bonds. He attended Lanier Middle School, and graduated from Lamar High School in 1945 where he served as Senior Class treasurer, a member of the Arrowhead Honor Society and played varsity basketball. After graduation, he spent 18 months in the US Navy where he served in the Philippines and witnessed their independence from Japan. Following his time in the Navy, he played basketball for Rice University (the Southwest Conference basketball co-champion his sophomore year). While at Rice Charlie served on the Rice Honor Council, won the Bob Quinn Award for outstanding scholar athletes and was named one of ten Outstanding Seniors. After a year of teaching history at Rice while working on a master's degree, Charlie attended the University of Texas Law School where he served on the Law Review editorial board. During his second year of law school he met Schatzie Nixon, who he married on June 4, 1955--the day of law school graduation. After a honeymoon in Mexico, he went to work with the Houston law firm of Baker Botts. In 1960, he and Schatzie moved with their young family to Midland where he join the Stubbeman, McRay law firm. In 1974, he and several colleagues started the law firm that became Cotton, Bledsoe, Tighe and Dawson, PC. In 1975, he was elected a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He also served on the Midland Planning and Zoning Commission, spent two years on the City Council, and was the attorney for Midland ISD handling their desegregation litigation. He was elected to the school board in 2000 and worked as president for two years, finding it "very satisfying and rewarding to serve with so many good and concerned fellow board members and an excellent superintendent." He was a member of the board of Casa de Amigos, the Petroleum Club, Girl Scouts, and enjoyed mentoring first graders in reading at both Crockett and Sam Houston Elementary. He and Schatzie frequently attended the home football games for both Midland and Lee High. He played golf up until six months before his death and shot his age at least once every year starting at age 79. He took pride in staying in shape. Charlie was an avid runner, participating in two marathons and was frequently listed on the "top 10" list for most weight lifted at the Midland YMCA. As a member of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Charlie helped build the church on the Loop and later Christ Church, Anglican. He served as chairman of the building fund, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and was a lay reader and frequent vestry member. Charlie and Schatzie have traveled all over the world, often taking their children and grandchildren with them on their adventures. Charlie is survived by his wife, Schatzie, children and spouses, Steven and Tricia Tighe, Susan and Craig Litherland, and Daniel Tighe, and grandchildren, Cliff and Danae Litherland, Claire Litherland, Samantha Litherland, David and Megan Tighe, and Topher Tighe. Charlie often said that his family made his life joyful and fun. A memorial service for Charlie will be held on Monday, January 15, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Church Anglican (5501 North Midkiff Road, Midland, Texas 79705). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice or the Tighe Family Foundation, which is part of the Permian Basin Area Foundation. Professional services entrusted to American Heritage Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4100 N. FM 1788, Midland, Texas.