Charles R.

Wilson

In Loving Memory Of

Charles Rollan Wilson

January 22, 1929 - April 7, 2026

Charles Rollan Wilson (January 22, 1929 - April 7, 2026), 97, was born in Edinburg, Texas, to Perry and Olean (Hart) Wilson. He was the middle child of five. He was known as " Charlie " to his friends, "Rollan" to his family, and "Dad" to his children. But the name he liked best was " Pop-Pop " or just " Pop ," as he was known to his grandchildren.

Charlie was born in the Valley, but he grew up in and around the North Texas town of McKinney, where his father was a pharmacist. Even when living in the city, the Wilson family had cows and chickens. In school, Charlie confessed that he was an indifferent student, but he was very good at playing marbles, fighting, and football. In 1941, the family traded their city home for an 80-acre dairy farm west of town. He and his brother Paul milked the cows twice a day, every day, and made deliveries via horseback. During the summers, he would help neighbors thresh their wheat and chop cotton.

In April of 1946, with his parents' reluctant permission, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard. As one of the last of our greatest generation, he wore the World War II Victory Medal with pride. The Coast Guard entrusted seventeen-year-old Seaman Wilson with important responsibilities which gave him an appetite for more. Charlie soon found that he had an aptitude for working with machinery, and he began to apply himself with determination and focus.

Charlie would spend over 26 ½ years in service to his country with the Coast Guard. His duty stations and home ports included Groton (CT), Mayport (FL), South Padre Island, Port of Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Sabine Pass, Portsmouth (VA), New Orleans (LA), Baltimore (MD), Boston (MA), and Attu Island, Alaska. But his most important assignment was his first, the Port O'Connor Lifeboat Station. It was there that he met and married the love of his life. He and Bertha Thumann were together almost 70 years and raised two boys and three girls.

Charlie rose quickly through the ranks, advancing to Chief Motor Machinist Mate, Warrant Officer, and Lieutenant, before achieving his most senior rank as Lieutenant Commander and serving as chief engineer afloat. His sea duty assignments included the Cutters Primrose, Iris, Apalachee, Casco, and Durable.

After Charlie retired from the Coast Guard, the family settled in San Benito, Texas. He briefly worked for Marathon LeTourneau Shipyard before he and Bertha purchased the local Playland Rollercade. They refurbished, expanded, and air conditioned the building and renamed it Wilson Skate Center, which became a safe and inexpensive haven for several generations of Cameron County's boys and girls. Bertha welcomed the customers and served as DJ and master of ceremonies, while Charlie took care of the skates and concession stand. They owned and managed the skating rink for 26 years before retiring again.

Charlie and his wife immersed themselves in the community. He became president of the San Benito Rotary Club, before being selected as the South Texas District Governor. Their Rotary travels took them throughout the state, as well as California, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia. He also served as President of the Cameron County Fair and Livestock Show, Commissioner of the San Benito Planning and Zoning Committee, and member of the San Benito Veteran's Advisory Board. He was Chairman of the Dolly Vinsant Memorial Foundation, which awarded scholarships to local students in the medical profession. Among his numerous awards for his many years of public service, is the Citizen of the Year Award from the City of San Benito and the San Benito News in 2004. He was also honored with the Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame Award in 2013.

Active up until the week before his passing, he is survived by his sister Gaylan Boren; his children Walter E. Wilson and Cynthia A. Cook, daughter-in-law Laura Z. Wilson, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his wife Bertha Emerie (Thumann) Wilson, his parents, Wheelice Perry and Martha Olean (Hart) Wilson; siblings Wheelice Hart Wilson, Valeria Yvonne (Marshall) Wilson, Willis Paul Wilson; son Perry Oscar Wilson, daughters Judy Carroll Wilson and Karen Eileen (Wilson) Moore, and grandson Jason C. Cook.

In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome a donation to a favorite charity in Charlie's honor.

Charles Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Trinity Funeral Chapel of the Holy Spirit with the Celebration of Life to begin at 5:00 p.m.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Seadrift Cemetery, in Seadrift, Tx. 1273 Cemetery Road; Located 1.273 miles from Hwy 185 on Cemetery Road with full military honors under the auspices of the American Legion Post 167 and VFW Post 4403.

With profound love and remembrance, the family of of Charles R. Wilson have entrusted his funeral arrangements to Lenny Elizondo, funeral director/owner of Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home, 1002 E. Harrison Ave. Harlingen, TX 78550. For information, please call (956)364-2444 or visit www.trinityfunerals.com