Roepke

Charles Ray Roepke, 82, of Taylor, formerly of Rockdale, passed away peacefully Friday, April 28, 2023.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 5, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home with Pastor Ronnie Dyer officiating. Burial will follow at Salty Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at the funeral home.

Charles was born Nov. 11, 1940, in Austin to Arnold Carl and Hulda Adelle Roepke.

He was raised in Thorndale, where he was baptized and confirmed in the St. Paul Lutheran Church. He attended the St. Paul Lutheran School and graduated from Thorndale High School. He was very active in both church and school, serving as usher, head usher, confirmation sponsor, as well as participated in various sports, including football, providing for numerous awards.

Charles was a graduate of the Nixon Clay Business College.

Charles took pride in working hard to provide for himself and later for his wife and family. He spent most of his life working in the Rockdale community—Rockdale State Bank, B&B Drilling and Alcoa. He celebrated his retirement from Alcoa in 2006.

Charles met the love of his life while working at Rockdale State Bank, where he met Charlotte Ann, who would later become his wife and the mother of his two sons, Christopher and Michael.

Prior to starting their family, the two enjoyed many activities together, including trail rides, horseback riding, fishing, camping, bicycling, walking, volleyball and Longhorn football. In addition, Charles enjoyed hunting, was an avid sportsman (especially in softball), and enjoyed coaching youth football and Little League baseball.

He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and never met a stranger.

Attending church was always a special time of fellowship for him. He attended services with family at First Baptist Church, Rockdale; Forest Grove Christian Church, Rockdale; New Hope Christian Church, Hutto; and visited many other churches around Central Texas to support his sons’ respective ministries.

Charles is survived by his wife Charlotte of 52 years; son Christopher; son Michael and wife Rachel; three grandchildren, Tucker, Mykenzie and Madison; brother Larry and wife Carolyn; and niece Marla; also, one aunt and numerous cousins.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Hulda.

Pallbearers are David Gibson, Randy Kirk, Fritzie Melde, Rickey Melde, Jesse Smith and William Smith.

Honorary pallbearers are Chip Longo, AP Patschke, and Richard Wilkins.

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank Rockdale Estates & Rehabilitation for their kindness, support, love and care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Paul Lutheran School Teacher’s Supply Fund, P.O. Box 369, Thorndale, TX 76577 in memory of Charles Roepke, or to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Arrangements by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home, P.O. Drawer 1417, Rockdale, TX 76567, 512-446-5454.