Charles Robert Delphenis

Charles Robert Delphenis was born to Charles Crawford and Nancy Della Cruse Delphenis on September 1, 1927 in Paris, Texas. He graduated from Paris High School in 1944, Paris Junior College in 1948 and the University of Texas with a B.B.A. (Marketing) in 1951. He also graduated from the Harvard School of Business in the 57th Advanced Management Program in 1969. While at the University of Texas, his social fraternity was Sigma Alpha Epsilon. As a member of the Silver Spurs, he was responsible for the care of Bevo. He also served in the United States Navy as a Photographer's Mate from 1946 to 1947.

Following graduation from the University of Texas, Charles worked in Washington, D. C. as a research assistant for the late Congressman Wright Patman. In September 1952, he joined The H. W. Gossard Co. of Chicago, Illinois, as a salesman for the southwest Texas territory. He became president of the company in 1974 and served in that capacity until 1978. In 1978, he returned to Texas where he served in an executive capacity with the Commodore Financial Corp. and related companies until his retirement in 1984.

Charles was an active member of the Northaven United Methodist Church and the Rotary Club of Park Cities (Dallas). At the church, he served in the music program for many years both singing in the choir and ringing bells in the bell choir. In the Rotary Club, he served as president in 1990/1991 and was active in the several literacy programs. He also delivered Meals-On-Wheels for over 21 years as a part of his volunteer activities for the club. In 2013, he received the club's Lifetime Achievement Award for Devotion to the Ideals and Principles of Rotary. He was also an active member of Texas Investors, a local investment club.

On June 16, 1979, Charles was married to Jeanne Marie Prztula of Justice, Illinois. They were married in the Palos Hills United Methodist Church. His son Ray served as his best man.

Charles is survived by his wife, Jeanne Marie Delphenis, his son by his first wife, Raymond Charles Delphenis and his wife, Barbara Pritchard of Los Angeles, California. He is also survived by his sister, Alice Coker of Montgomery, Texas. Also surviving are his niece, Nancy Hyde and her husband, Arthur Hyde II of Suwanee, Georgia, his nephews, Gordon Coker and his wife, Linda, and Robert Coker and his wife, Denyce, of Montgomery, Texas. He is also survived by numerous Crawford, Scrivner, Cruse, and Coleman cousins throughout Texas and the rest of the country. Charles was preceded in death by his first wife Florence Durkin of Waukegan, Illinois.

A memorial service is scheduled to be held at Northaven United Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m. on February 22, 2014. The church is located at 11211 Preston Road (corner of Northaven Road) in Dallas 75230. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to the Celebration Garden of Northaven United Methodist Church where he will be inurned, or to the Covenant Fund of Northaven Church, or to the charity of your choice.