Charles Wayne DeLisle

Charles Wayne DeLisle, of Pflugerville, TX, left this world to walk with God on September 15, 2024, at the age of 88. He was born in Enid, OK to parents Irene Moore DeLisle and Charles George DeLisle on November 21, 1935.
Fond memories from his childhood were celebrating holidays with his family, the scary fun of Halloween in the early 1940s and the ghost stories his Nannie would tell and make come alive, the many happy childhood days with his sister and cousins at Aunt Sadie's farm, and watching the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus set up a block from his home and stare in amazement as the employees would water the elephants, camels, bears and lions from a fire hydrant next to his house. He and his sister Barbara were "all eyes and ears to these exciting sounds, sights and smells".
He was a dedicated and committed student, graduating as Valedictorian from Enid High School. He continued to pursue his education with a B.A. Degree in English/Secondary Education with Minors in Speech, Humanities, Psychology and French from Phillips University in Enid, OK. He attended both Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX and the University of Texas in Austin for graduate school. He earned his teaching credentials for the Intellectually Disabled at UT and eventually finished in 1974 with his M.Ed. in Special Education at Southwest Texas State University.
During those years of education he took some time out to enlist in the United States Army in 1960 to proudly serve his country during the Cold War. He was selected for the Army Security Agency, a military intelligence unit and was sent to Army Language School where he chose to learn German. After receiving his orders, he was stationed with the ASA unit in Berlin. His time in Berlin was profound. He fell in love with the city and recalled his time there as "memorable, but frightening at times, especially when having to go into the Communist occupied East Berlin". In his writings in the DeLisle Family History he wrote out for his family, he noted "some events that were indelibly imprinted in his memory". The first was witnessing the day the Berlin Wall was begun, second, the area running parallel to the Wall called "No Man's Land" and watching East Berliners attempts to escape to the West with many tragic ends, and third, an apartment building on Bernauer Strasse where the apartment building was a part of East Berlin and the sidewalk was West Berlin and again seeing attempts of people desperate to escape attempting to jump to their freedom. In his words, "I never fully felt at liberty to describe exactly what the nature of the intelligence work I did," but he was always proud and honored to say that some of his work was sent directly to the desk of President John F. Kennedy. "I loved the work; it was exciting and sometimes dangerous and shrouded in top level secrecy and of vital importance to my country." He was full of pride for his service to his country and occasionally spoke about his experiences to groups and high school classes. He was very thoughtful and reflective of his experiences and felt privileged to serve his country and was honorably discharged in 1963.
On February 3, 1968, Charles married his beloved wife, JoAnn Kelley. Together they raised two children whom they always made known that they absolutely cherished. They easily moved into their roles as grandparents to grand and great-grandchildren while being a dynamic force in their lives, showing unconditional love, always actively involved and spoiling them terribly.
Charles was a longtime member of Palm Valley Lutheran Church of Round Rock, TX, where he also served as the organist for 59 years. He had a fantastic love for music, art, and literature. His talents as a musician were known to everyone, but he was also a gifted artist, painter, story-teller, and writer of short stories and poems, collected in a book he titled, "Thoughts From a Frog" (in reference to his French ancestry).
Charles was also devoted to his work with the Intellectually Disabled and started as a teacher at Travis State School in Austin and worked his way to Assistant Superintendent. He was dedicated to the residents and staff at TSS. He made many lifelong friends at the school and was a mentor to many. He loved the residents and was a lifelong advocate and supporter. He always had so many fond memories and interesting stories to tell about his experiences.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents Irene and Charles G. DeLisle, his "darling" beloved wife JoAnn Kelley DeLisle, his sister Barbara Calivas, his sweet niece JoEllen Martin and many more loved family members. He is survived by son Michael DeLisle (Krista), daughter Kelly DeLisle Stevenson (Chris), grandchildren Krista Velasquez (Drew), Nicole Small (Justus), Brandon Pello (Brittany), Lindsey Stevenson, Chelsea Jackson (Darian), Charles Stevenson (Megan), great-grandchildren, Bryce Stevenson, Dax Stevenson, Zoe Saxon, Kallan Velasquez, AJ Velasquez, and Cohen Small, as well as multiple nieces and nephews.
A quote he left in his written wishes to family."Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come." Rabindranath Tagore
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Palm Valley Lutheran Church, Round Rock, TX, with burial and military honors directly after in the Palm Valley Cemetery, with a reception following at Palm Valley Lutheran Church.
If any memorials, his wish was for them to be made to the Palm Valley Lutheran Church Music Fund.
Memorial Service:
11:00 am ~ Saturday, October 5, 2024
Palm Valley Lutheran Church
2500 E. Palm Valley Blvd.
Round Rock, TX 78665
Graveside: Palm Valley Lutheran Church Cemetery