Charles Arthur Senter

1937 - 2018

Charles Arthur Senter

Albany, TX

Albany-Charles Arthur Senter (Chuck) was born January 8, 1937 in Harper, KS to Gertrude Jones Senter and Carl Hilton Senter. He died at home in Albany surrounded by his adoring family January 7, 2018 of advanced prostate cancer.

Visitation will be 5:00PM until 7:00PM Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at home. Services will be 10:00AM Wednesday, January 10, 2018 for a military burial at Albany Cemetery. A Memorial service will be at First United Methodist Church at 11:00AM. Lunch will be at the Old Jail Art Center at 12:30PM. Services under the direction of Girdner Funeral Home, Abilene, Texas.

Pallbearers: Watt Casey, Jr., Ross Montgomery, Robert Snyder, Stephen Waller all of Albany, Robert Havran, Henry Paup, Marshall Tillman all of Fort Worth, Robert Armstrong, Roswell, NM. Honorary Pallbearers: Current and past officers, directors and staff, Fort Griffin Fandangle

Chuck graduated from Ottawa High School serving as 1955 senior class president, then attended Ottawa University as did his father and grandfather. Chuck joined the US Navy and served 37 months at sea on the USS Yorktown mostly in the South Pacific based out of San Diego. His most notable voyage was "full speed ahead" from San Diego to Cuba in 1962 during the Cuban missile crisis. His main naval job was to repair the top secret cryptograph equipment on submarines and aircraft carriers. He was dropped from helicopters into submarines for repairs much in the spirit of "Hunt for Red October", his second favorite movie after "Lonesome Dove".

Chuck's business career began with IBM in October 1963 when he was hired for his "top secret" security clearance and his ability to repair anything. He rose through the ranks with assignments in Lincoln, NE; Kansas City, KS; Austin and finally Fort Worth where he was service manager for Northwest Texas.

Chuck married Elizabeth (Betsy) Rose Staples in 1990. He retired after 37 years with IBM in 1999 and immediately became in demand to fix their friends' equipment of all kinds. In 2003 a group of men from the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Fort Griffin Fandangle Assn recruited him to be the executive director of both organizations. He moved to Albany and commuted to Fort Worth for weekends. He loved Albany and the Fandangle; he truly found "home" in Betsy's hometown. He retired as E.D. from the Chamber in 2012 and from the Fandangle in December 2017 due to declining health. He helped lead the Fandangle through its 70th and 75th anniversary seasons and looked forward to the 80th season in 2018.

Chuck and Betsy danced across Texas antiquing and quilt hunting one weekend a month. He was a faithful volunteer for most every "Albany cause" especially enjoying cooking the cowboy breakfast for the Albany Car Show each spring. He loved the Lord, his family and friends, two stepping with Betsy, the Fandangle, Kansas sunflowers and "anything Albany".

Chuck was an active member of Jewel Charity in Fort Worth, past president of Albany Kiwanis Club, a member of First United Methodist Church Council, United Methodist Men, Albany Hotel/Motel Tax Board, Old Jail Art Center and Friends of Fort Griffin Board. Memorials, if desired: Fort Griffin Fandangle Assn.., P.O. Box 2017, Albany, TX 76430.

Survived by the love of his life of 27 years, Betsy; daughter, Jennifer Senter Cartwright (Jason), Fort Worth; adoring step-children: Andrew Latham Staples, San Diego, CA; and Meredith Robison (Cole), Albany; sister, Martha Gage (Ralph), Lawrence, KS; granddaughter, Eyalee Lopez, Reno, NV and many nieces and nephews. Chuck was predeceased by his parents of Ottawa, Ks and sister, Carolyn Shook (Bill), Wichita, KS.

The family would like to thank Chuck's amazing medical team: Asad Dean, MD, Trey Moore, MD, James Readinger, MD all of Fort Worth and Kindred Hospice of Abilene, especially Jessica, Shanna, Amanda, Jeannie, Jana and Karen.