Charles William “Chuck” Wakefield Jr., 83, of League City, Texas, passed away on October 4, 2026.

A lifelong Texan, Chuck was born September 13, 1943, in Galveston. He spent his early childhood running the sands of the Bolivar Peninsula before his family moved to Brenham, where he grew up on a dairy farm. He graduated from Brenham High School in 1961.

Following graduation, Chuck joined the United States Air Force, serving until 1968 and serving multiple tours during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he built a varied career that included work in real estate and life insurance before becoming a sales representative for Belzona Molecular. His entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to found W.I.D., a specialty coating application company.

Chuck was an avid fisherman and accomplished tournament angler, competing in and winning major tournaments throughout the 1980s and 1990s on the Gulf of Mexico. But for all the redfish, snapper, tuna, marlin, kingfish, and dolphinfish he caught over the years, none brought him more joy than watching one of his grandchildren reel in a speckled trout or flounder at Rollover Pass.

Later in life, Chuck found sobriety, an accomplishment that became an important part of both his life and his legacy. He was immensely proud of his involvement with Alcoholics Anonymous and The Bay Area Club, where he was a faithful attendee of the 11:30 meeting throughout his sobriety. Over the years, Chuck sponsored countless people, sharing his experience and helping many find their own path to sobriety.

Chuck believed deeply in giving back to the recovery community that had given so much to him. He generously gave both his time and financial support to help keep The Bay Area Club’s doors open. Through his business, he also provided jobs to several men in recovery, giving them an opportunity to get back on their feet and make a new start.

And then there was Chuck’s sopapilla cheesecake. He made one for every fundraiser, and over the years it became one of the famous cakes people looked forward to bidding on at the annual B.A.C. Cake Auction.

Sobriety also gave Chuck the opportunity to become the grandfather his family will remember so fondly. His grandchildren were truly the apple of his eye. He regularly traveled to Dallas and Oregon to spend time with them, celebrate their accomplishments, and support the activities and interests that mattered to them.

Some of the greatest joy of Chuck’s final years came from his great-granddaughters, Aeris and Blair. He felt incredibly fortunate to have met Aeris and spend time with her on two special occasions. Although he never had the opportunity to meet Blair in person, daily photos of her brought him a joy that was difficult to put into words. He often said of both girls that he could “see their personality from miles away.”

Later in life, Chuck also found tremendous companionship in his dogs, Tucker, Sassy, and Tilly. Of the three, Sassy held an especially dear place in his heart. For 16 years, she was his faithful companion and constant friend. When Chuck’s ashes are returned to the Bolivar Peninsula, where so much of his story began, the ashes of his beloved companions will be scattered alongside him. In a fitting way, Chuck will return to the sands of Bolivar with some of his most faithful friends by his side.

Those who knew Chuck best also knew there was never much question about who was “the Boss,” and he was always happy to remind you if you happened to forget. He was everyone’s resident weather expert, a great storyteller, and an incredibly generous man. Whatever situation life put in front of you, Chuck usually had a story to tell and his own particular brand of “wisdom” to share, whether you asked for it or not.

A lifelong Texas Longhorn football and Houston Astros fan, Chuck loved his home state, the Gulf Coast, a good fishing story, and most of all, the family he was so proud to watch grow.

Chuck is survived by his children, Catherine “Kitty” Michele Coker and Christopher Alan Wakefield; son-in-law Shawn Terry Coker; and daughter-in-law Lorine Annette Wakefield.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ryan Austin Coker and his wife, Hannah; Alexandra Nicole Walker and her husband, A.J.; Trenton David Wakefield and his wife, Carolyn; Lilyan Annette Bush and her husband, Bryan; Treyson James Wakefield; and Laney Brooke Wakefield; and his beloved great-granddaughters, Aeris Melody Walker and Blair Elizabeth Bush.

Chuck is also survived by his sister, Janet Wakefield Meehan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles William Wakefield and Vivian Julie Rosenquist, and his sister, Susan Alice Franks.

Chuck’s life was not without its difficult chapters, but his later years became a testament to how much a life can change. He found sobriety and then helped others find theirs. He gave his time, his resources, and opportunities to people who needed a hand. He showed up for his grandchildren, delighted in his great-granddaughters, loved his faithful four-legged companions, and left behind more fishing stories, weather reports, unsolicited wisdom, and reminders about who was “the Boss” than his family could ever count.

The Family will receive friends on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 2:00pm with a Ceremony at 3 o’clock at Crowder Funeral Home, 1645 East Main, League City, Texas 77573

And, in the end, Chuck will return to the same Bolivar sands where his story began.