Charles James Fiala
08/24/1931 - 06/07/2025
Charles "Chuck" James Fiala, Retired U.S. Army Major General, passed away peacefully at his home in Spring, Texas, surrounded by Edyth, his loving wife of 69 years, and his family.
Charles was born in Howells, Nebraska, the beloved child of Joseph and Bertha Fiala. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Soon after, he married the love of his life, Edyth K. Clinkscales. He received his Master's in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1958. He went on to serve our country for 35 years, including service in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and retired as a Major General. He received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal.
Upon his retirement from active duty, Charles and Edyth moved to Spring, Texas, where he continued to serve the military and others through his engineering work as Vice President for Operations at Brown & Root Services, where he deployed multiple times to support the U.S. Army including Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia and Hungary. He was active in his community and spent countless volunteer hours of service at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church.
Charles is survived by his wife Edyth and their six children, Charles and wife Evalyne, Joan, John and wife Karen, Lois, Nancy and husband Peter, Robert and wife Sara; his eleven grandchildren, Kathleen and husband Andre, Bryan, Kevin, Jeffrey, Jeanna, CJ and wife Blair, Brandon and wife Nicole, Colin, Peter, Kate and Caleb; and his four great-grandchildren, Dashawn, Carter, Brynn, and Jordan. He is also survived by his beloved brother, Dan. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Joseph and Bertha, and his siblings, Joseph, Marguerite, Joan, and Thomas.
A funeral for family and friends will be held at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church on Friday, June 27. A viewing will begin at 9:30 AM with the funeral mass beginning at 11 AM. A burial service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to The Parkinson's Foundation at Parkinson.org or the Archdiocese for The Military Services, USA at milarch.org.

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Published by Houston Chronicle on Jun. 15, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Fiala

Sponsored by Veterans Funeral Services.

6 Entries

Steven Peters

July 7, 2025

Deepest condolences to the Fiala family for the loss of General Fiala.
I served as a Drill Sergeant at Ft. Leonard Wood while the General was post commander.
May God give you all peace in the knowledge of the General is resting in His presence.
Steven Peters
1SG, US Army
Ret.

Pat Obulaney

June 28, 2025

I´m sorry for your loss, Edy! May God bless you and your family. I always loved talking with you & Chuck after Mass at St Ignatius Loyola. May he rest in peace in God´s loving hands.

William Wray

June 23, 2025

General Fiala was a wonderful person. When I was at Ft. Leonard Wood in the early 80s, my wife and I received orders to another post. We were very excited about the move (Leonard Wood was not a great place to live at that time) and we made a down payment on a home near the new post after a visit. General Fiala canceled my orders (for understandable reasons given his role as post commander) and when I heard about this I went through the chain of command to see him (despite being advised to shut up and accept it). When he heard our story, and especially how heartbroken my wife was at the cancellation, he relented, telling me that something similar had happened to him when he was a young officer. We have always been grateful for his kindness and are sorry to hear of his death.

Tadahiko Ono

June 19, 2025

I first met Chuck Fiala when he, as a major, was the Engineer instructor in the Office of Military Instructions and I was a cadet who just selected the Corps of Engrs as my branch. We ran into each other in 1969 when we both assigned to the Army´s Office of Personnel Operations, he a LTC and I a CPT. Without batting an eye, he greeted me with a friendly "Hi, Tad, how are you?". He was one of those rare individuals who could remember everyone´s name or did thorough homework to know everything. We then served at the Engineer School and Center at Fort Belvoir, where he bailed me out of a disagreement with the Chief of Staff(his subordinate, my superior). It was there, as a BG, he hosted a retirement review for the colonel who was his boss at the Colonel´s Division, OPO. General Fiala spoke glowingly and very respectfully of his mentor at that ceremony. That was the kind of man and leader he was. Well done, General Fiala, very well done, may you rest in peace.

Bo Smith

June 15, 2025

I am fortunate to have known "Chuck" since the 1980´s. The General was one of God´s special people. Bright, articulate, great listener, excellent communicator, leader, respected & friend. Joined us at B&R services & was a key player in establishing the company into a force in government services. I am very fortunate to have known this exceptional person. We need more Chuck & Edyth Fiala´s in our world! God speed & Travel safe. Love Bo

Murielle Elfman

June 12, 2025

Prayers and condolences for Edy and the entire Fiala family as you mourn the loss of your beloved husband, father, father in law, grandfather, and great grandfather. Chuck made a mighty contribution to his country. But his most enduring legacy is the upstanding and noble family he leaves behind. Many prayers for your peace and comfort in this great loss.
Sincerely, Alan and Murielle Elfman

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