Charles Anthony Ling, '43
Charles Anthony Ling, '43, passed away on January 30, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. Lifetime Member.
Charles Anthony Ling, 90 of Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 30, 2017, after a brief illness and a life well-lived.
Preceding him in death were his parents Henry and Ioda Mary Jones Ling, and his siblings, Mozelle Ellison, Catherine Stromie, James J. Ling, Margaret Ling, Annabelle Burt, and Michael F. Ling.
He is survived by his wife, Helma, daughter Patricia and (husband) Tom Pryor, son Christopher, brother Michael's wife, Jenny Ling and Helma's sister Charlotte Mingels Herzog . Six grandchildren, Elizabeth Pryor, Kathryn Pryor and (husband) Douglas Seirup, Sam Pryor and (wife) Angel, Nicholas Ling, Alexander Ling, Christina Ling, and one great- grandson, Samuel Thomas Pryor lll.
Charles was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, on July 6, 1926, and graduated from Father Flanagan's Boys Town High School in Omaha, Nebraska, in May 1943.
He attended the University of Tulsa before joining his brother, Jim, briefly in the electrical contracting business in Dallas, Texas.
He was drafted into the Armed Services in 1953, serving the U.S. Seventh Army Headquarters, 709th MP Battalion, in Frankfurt, Germany.
It was in Germany that he met Helma Mingels, who was employed as an English translator for the American Security Agency Europe.
Returning to Dallas in 1954 with wife Helma, he rejoined his brother Jim and was a founding director of Ling Electric, later known as Ling-Oliver-O'Dwyer, serving 10 years as VP of Estimating and Engineering. While there, some of his electrical contracts included the Lunar Module Engine Test Stands in White Sands, New Mexico, and the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. After selling his interest in the business, Charles spent one year in the financial investment field. He was responsible for taking Furr's Cafeteria public. Shortly thereafter he purchased a small manufacturing company, RC Allen, merging it later with a publically held company. He was also a founding director and shareholder of First Bank & Trust of Richardson and Matador Petroleum Company, and active in both residential and commercial real estate. Placing a high value on education, he returned to college later in life, graduating with a History degree from the University of Dallas.
He enjoyed numerous hobbies during his active lifetime and at various times was a member of Preston Trails Golf Club, Northwood Country Club, Thorntree Country Club, Dallas Gun Club, and Chandler's Landing Sailing Club.
A loyal brother, loving husband, devoted father, cherished Papa, great-grandfather, uncle, brother and friend, Charles was a man of great integrity, steadfast support, and wit whose love and support will be missed, but forever remembered in our hearts.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Maria Luisa Castellanos, Marian Gee, and Monticello West, whose compassionate care will be gratefully remembered.
In lieu of flowers, his memory may be honored through donations to Boys Town Nebraska (boystown.org). After a private burial, a celebration mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church Friday, February 3, 2017 at 1:00 PM.
Sparkman Richardson Funeral Home in Richardson, Texas has charge of arrangements.