Charles Pearce Caudle, 89, of Houston, TX passed away on February 21, 2024. Charles was born on January 20, 1935, to Thomas Pearce Caudle and Mary Kate Langley. He was one of six children: Gloria, Thomas, Kenneth, Alice, and Sally.

While attending Coral Gables High School, Charles helped support his mother and siblings as a butcher trainee at Food Fair in Miami, FL. After graduating, Charles was accepted to three engineering schools (University of Miami, Georgia Tech, and Purdue) but instead joined the Miami Fire Department where he appeared in a fireman training series that aired on TV back when television first started. In 1957, Charles joined the Air Force as an Aviation Cadet. He became a fighter pilot and served in Zaragoza, Spain, Kansas City, MO, and Homestead, FL. In 1963, Charles left the Air Force and returned to the Miami Fire Department. While working there and at another job, as well as attending Miami Dade Community College, he built a duplex in Miami where he and his family (first wife Patricia Ann Markham of Miami, FL and children Kimberly, Charles Jr., Karen, and David) resided, along with his mother and siblings.

In 1965, Charles became a pilot at National Airlines. At National, Charles held positions as Pilot, Captain, Chairman of the Negotiating Committee, as well as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). Charles also initiated other business ventures to support his family during strikes. When National merged with Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) in 1980, Charles helped with the merger and in 1986 he took on the responsibility of managing the pilot's pension fund.

Charles' first marriage to Patricia Markham ended in divorce after over 20 years. Several years later, Charles married Robin Willy of Miami, FL and had two children (Christopher and Christian). They resided in Miami, Tennessee, and Texas and the marriage ended in divorce after over 20 years.

After Pan Am went bankrupt in 1991, Charles briefly operated or held interests in airlines out of Smyrna, TN and Houston, TX and chartered for the White House Travel Office, transporting the Press Corps for a time during George H. W. Bush's administration. Charles tried various other ventures afterward and never gave up on his visions and dreams.

Charles was predeceased by father Thomas, Mother Mary, brothers Tommy and Kenneth, and his sister Sally.

Charles is survived by his six children Kimberly Diaz, Charles Jr., Karen, David, Christopher, and Christian, as well as his sisters Gloria Smith and husband Donny and Alice Scordo and husband Charlie. Charles is also survived by four grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Charles absolutely loved sports, especially football, basketball and tennis and was quite the athlete for most of his life. His work ethic was second to none and he always had a vision or deal that he was waiting on to materialize. Most of all, Charles was a great father and loved his children dearly.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allen Dave Funeral Home 2103 Cypress Landing Rd.

Houston, Texas 77090 (p) 713-480-2966 (f) 713-634-2707