Obituaries

Charles Paul Giarraputo 89 passed away on Thursday January 31 at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital - WNJ in Sherman Texas following a brief illness. He was born on May 27 1923 in Denison Texas to Anthony Giarraputo and Nancy Bruno Giarraputo. Charlie grew up in Denison Texas the youngest of ten children in his family. He graduated from Denison High School in 1941. He served in the United States Army Air Corps from December 1942 through February 1946 graduating from the Rankin Aeronautical Academy in Tulare California as an aviation cadet in 1944 and became a pilot. Flying became a lifelong love of Charlie"¢s. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Austin College in 1950. He was the Real Property Officer at Perrin Air Force Base from 1960 to 1970 and at Sheppard Air Force Base from 1970 to 1972. From 1972 to 1973 he was an appraiser for North American Revaluation Company. Charlie worked as a county appraiser for Grayson County from 1974 and was certified by the State of Texas as a Registered Professional Appraiser in 1979. He joined the Grayson County Appraisal District when it was formed in 1981 retiring as Director of Administration in 1993 even though he returned when asked to help out and "retired" at least three more times. Charlie was a faithful member of St. Mary"¢s Parish. He was also a Captain in the Civil Air Patrol and a charter member at the Perrin Air Force Base Museum. He was passionate about all types of music from Big Band to jazz to Western Swing and played keyboard drums and saxophone in some Western Swing bands including "The Texans" that regularly appeared on a local live television program in the 1960"¢s. He played at the Pacesetter Ballroom in Madill Oklahoma and weekly at the SNAP center in Denison for several years. He was also an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. When Charlie was attending Austin College he met the love of his life Fredia Lee Wilson. Charlie and Fredia Lee were married in 1950 in Sherman Texas in her mother"¢s home and were happily married for 46 years until Fredia Lee"¢s death. Charlie was always generous and tried to help people however he could. He was a wonderful husband father grandfather uncle mentor and role model to many people and will be greatly missed. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents Anthony and Nancy Giarraputo, his wife Fredia Lee Giarraputo, brothers: Louis Giarraputo Russell Giarraputo Steve Giarraputo Leonard Giarraputo and Anthony Giarraputo Jr. and sisters: Angelina Maranto Mary Giarraputo Jeannine Tantillo and Leannine Debner. He was also preceded by a granddaughter Cassandra Scott DVM. Charlie is survived by his children Jeannette Scott and her husband George of Sherman Tony Giarraputo and his wife Norma of Sherman and Carol Butler and her husband Greg of Denison. His grandchildren are Christopher Scott and his wife Jami of Haslet Texas, Kyle Butler and Lauralee Butler of Denison Texas. Charlie is also survived by a sister-in-law Frances Bailey and husband Kenneth. Charlie had numerous nieces and nephews who were all special to him. Rosary will be held at Dannel Funeral Home 302 S. Walnut in Sherman Texas at 6:00 p.m. on Monday February 4. The family will be greeting friends and relatives following the Rosary. Mass of the Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary"¢s Catholic Church at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday February 5 with Father Jeremy Myers officiating. Burial will follow at Cedarlawn Memorial Park 5805 Texoma Parkway Sherman Texas. Pallbearers will be Dennis Francis Daniel Crow Johnny Todd Jerry Jones Don Booth Lynn Mitchusson Greg Kreuger and Charles Hollingsworth. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Perrin Air Force Base Museum. If desired memorial donations may be made to the Perrin Air Force Base Museum 436 McCollum Avenue Denison Texas 75020 or the Cassandra Scott Scholarship fund at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine (checks payable to the Texas A&M Foundation with "Cassandra Scott Scholarship" included on the memo line). Checks/donations should be mailed to: College of Veterinary Medicine Office of the Dean 4461 TAMU College Station TX 77843-4461.