Charles Taylor Van Metre

Charles Taylor Van Metre, 76, of Houston, Texas, died in Houston, Texas of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis on November 25, 2023. 

Charlie was born in Houston on December 12, 1946 to Ernest Everett Van Metre and Madeline Theresa Van Metre nee Gabriel. They moved to Victoria, Texas, where Charlie grew up. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School before joining the United States Air Force during the Vietnam war.

Charlie met the love of his life, Pamela Margaret Thompson in Sydney, Australia. Charlie was in Australia meeting up with childhood friends after leaving the Air Force. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married in January 1973. Charlie and Pam couldn’t wait to start a family of their own, and their children meant the world to them. They had two daughters, Kylie and Amanda. Charlie and Pam moved to Houston, Texas, where they spent the rest of their lives.

Though he loved gardening, and music, Charlie’s favorite role was that as a grandparent. He treasured his time with his grandkids and loved being their PawPaw, never missing an opportunity to pass on his wisdom.

Breaking societal norms, Charlie was a stay-at-home dad during the 1980s and 1990s. Charlie was passionate about his role as a paraprofessional at Klein Forest High School. He came to the role later in life, but it gave him great meaning to spend time with individuals with disabilities.
Charlie was an active member of St. Matthew the Evangelist Catholic Church. 

Charlie will always be remembered for his ability to win any board game ever and the way that he would mop the floor with even children. We’ll always imagine hearing him say “How do you play this game again?” one more time. We couldn’t have asked for a better father, grandfather, and friend and we will miss him every day. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

Charlie was preceded in death by his father, Ernest, his mother, Madeline, his wife, Pam, his brother, Stephen, his adoptive parents, Dr. and Mrs. RA Stevenson, and is survived by daughters, Kylie Hrncir and Amanda Perkins, son in law, Dylan Hrncir, son in law, Jacob Perkins, grandchildren, Pamela Hrncir, Seth Hrncir, Toby Hrncir, Caleb Perkins, Blaise Hrncir, Ashlynn Taylor Perkins.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI).