Charles Thomas Woolley, 80, of Houston, Texas, passed away unexpectedly on May 18, 2026. He leaves behind a legacy defined by his profound generosity, quiet brilliance, and deep, unwavering love for his family.

To those who knew him best, Charles was generous beyond measure. He gave freely of his time, his wisdom, and his heart to his friends and loved ones. As a father, he was his children’s greatest champion. He loved them fiercely and supported them unconditionally in all their endeavors, always present and always encouraging. Those lucky enough to share in his life will forever cherish his gentle kindness, matched perfectly by a razor-sharp sense of humor that could effortlessly bring warmth and laughter to any room.

Behind his warm smile and quick wit was an extraordinary intellect. A dedicated aeronautical engineer, Charles devoted his entire 39-year career to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He began his tenure in the late 1960s at Langley, Virginia, where his early work on the Apollo program earned him distinguished recognition before he transitioned to the Space Shuttle program. In 1984, Charles moved to the Houston area to help pioneer the International Space Station program, remaining at the Johnson Space Center for the rest of his career.

Perhaps his most profound professional legacy is his instrumental role in developing NASA’s SAFER project—the emergency jetpack designed as a lifeline for astronauts during spacewalks. This life-saving system stands as a lasting testament not only to Charles’s engineering brilliance but to his steadfast commitment to bringing people home safely—a protective nature he extended just as fiercely to his own family.

Charles is survived by his beloved children, Caryn Woolley Eaton, husband Brant Lee, and children Joseph Conor and Jonathan Harrison; daughter Deanna Woolley Cook and children Mason Cole Woolley, Turner Matthew, and Carter Evelyn; son Charles Thomas Woolley Jr and child Bella Grace; his sister Pauline Amelia (DeDe) and Wayne Brock and children Noel and Heather; brother Edwin and his wife Debbie Woolley and children Robert Allen, Jennifer Anne, Matthew Paul and Crystal Lee, along with numerous friends and former colleagues.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Emma and Dudley Edwin Woolley; brother Dudley Woolley Jr., and other beloved extended family and friends.

A celebration of Charles’s remarkable life will be held Tuesday, May 26, from 2–4 pm at Crowder Funeral Home, 111 East Medical Center Blvd, Webster, Texas 77598.