Charlene Trekell

Charlene Cadenhead Trekell, 82, of Amarillo, formerly of Canyon, passed away on Saturday, April 2, 2022.

Charlene was born in Shamrock, Texas on April 19, 1939 to Charles and Helen Cadenhead. She grew up in Shamrock and graduated from Shamrock High School. Charlene obtained a bachelor's degree in business administration from West Texas State College. While at WT, she received the UBEA Award of Merit for outstanding achievement in business education. Charlene left Canyon and headed north to the University of Iowa where she completed a master's degree in library and information science.

In 1960 while employed by Shamrock Oil and Gas Company, Charlene was coaxed into going on a blind date with a young new teacher at WT named Leon Trekell. They quickly fell in love and were married at a Baptist preacher's house in Hereford, Texas on June 30, 1961. Seven years later they were blessed with a daughter, Cindi Lynn. Leon and Charlene enjoyed almost 47 years together until Leon's death in 2008.

Although she excelled in college in her business courses, Charlene's heart was always in books, kids, and education. She served as a teacher at Canyon High School, an assistant librarian at Amarillo College, and the head librarian at Gene Howe Elementary. In 1988, she was asked to build the library at the new Randall High School. Charlene continued to serve as the head librarian at Randall until her retirement in 2003 when she was inducted into the Randall Raider Hall of Fame. She was a devoted mentor to her students, not only in their academic studies but also in lessons of life.

It's no surprise that Charlene was an avid reader of fiction, newspapers, and magazines. She was also an exceptional cook. Many people claimed that the best meal they ever enjoyed wasn't at a fancy restaurant in New York or Los Angeles, but in Canyon, Texas at Charlene's table.

Charlene loved to travel. As teachers, Leon and Charlene traveled every summer throughout the United States and abroad. Many of these trips were enjoyed with close friends and remained some of Charlene's fondest memories. On other trips when it was just Leon and Charlene, they made new friends along the way (because anyone who knew Leon knows that he never met a stranger). They stayed in touch with many of their traveling companions and some even stayed with them when they were near the Texas Panhandle.

Leon and Charlene's home was always open to friends, family, and former students. With Charlene cooking and Leon mixing their favorite drinks, many stories were told (some of them true) and many lively discussions ensued over sports, pop culture, politics, education, and "the good old days."

Charlene was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Helen Cadenhead; a brother, Ernest Lee "Bud" Cadenhead; and her husband, Charles Leon Trekell.

Survivors include her daughter, Cindi Evans and husband Andrew; two grandsons, Ryan and Ethan Evans; and numerous cousins.

A private burial will be held at the Shamrock Cemetery under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors. The family suggests memorials to the Leon Trekell Scholarship, Office of Academic Affairs, West Texas A&M University, Box 60727, Canyon, Texas 79016.