- Date: Saturday, January 16, 2010
- Location: Townsen Cemetery
- Additional Info: Adamsville, Texas
- Dateline: January 15, 2010
- Name: Charles Yancy Van Trease, 81 years
- Died: January 11, 2010, in Austin, Texas
- Captain Charles Yancy Van Trease took his final flight January 11th, 2010. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, July 11th, 1928. He is survived by his wife Doris Mae of 52 faithful years, his three sons, Buck Austin, Raleigh Houston, and Clint Dallas Van Trease, a daughter in law Wendy , and three grandchildren, James Austin, CeCe Tyler, and Billie Kaye Houston. All siblings and grandchildren have middle names of cities in Texas. He was a true Texan.
A major portion of his life was spent above the earth as a pilot. He earned his pilot's license at the age of 16 in Memphis, Tennessee. His piloting life included anything with a wing on it, crop dusting in the valley, sky writer for Pepsi Cola, DC-3 Cargo pilot and finally was hired on with TransWorld Airlines in 1955. He would later say the Lockheed Constellation was his favorite of the 24 type ratings he held. He retired from TWA on December 31, 1986 after nearly 30,000 total lifetime flight hours. He was most proud of the fact that not one soul was every injured or lost in his 31 years with TWA. His flying never slowed as he was still flying his 1946 Globe Swift and Cessna 150 at the time of his passing at 81 years of age.
He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Marion Van Trease, his sister Julian Owen Mestermacher and a first son Stephen Austin.
He had a tremendous passion for history especially for The West, Texas, and Aviation. He was a tall, man's man, a Texan's Texan, and a true pilot's pilot. They broke the mold the day he was born. He always had a good joke, took liberty teasing folks, a zeal for a compassionate life as big as Texas, and a smile just as wide. "Save your money", and "Take care of your stuff and your stuff will take care of you", he would tell all--especially his sons!
A private graveside service will be held. An announcement as to the time and place of a celebration of his life will be announced soon. In lieu of flowers, etc. the family has requested donations be made in the name of Charles Y. Van Trease to UsTOO®, an education and support program for prostate cancer patients. This can be done online at www.ustoo.org and click "Donate Now" in the upper left corner or by mailing your donation to UsToo International Inc., 5003 Fairview Ave, Downers Grove, Ill., 60515. Charles loved all who attended and facilitated these meetings and gained much support.
He will be missed by his family and many friends.
4435 Frontier Trail
Austin, TX 78745
512-443-1366
;)
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