Charles Leroy Churchill
December 31, 1943 - October 9, 2020

Charles "Leroy" Churchill, 76, of Dripping Springs, Texas, was called to the Lord on October 9 from a fall at home. Leroy was born in San Angelo, Texas, to the late Charles Churchill and Jean Almerigotti on December 31, 1943.

Leroy graduated from Sterling City High School in 1961. He went on to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech University, where he made many friends as a member of ATΩ. After graduating from Texas Tech, Leroy married the love of his life, Gwen Botik, in Lubbock, Texas. Together, they moved to Dallas, where Leroy earned his MBA at the University of Dallas. He worked for Texas Utilities for 35 years, managing the lignite mining plant outside Henderson, Texas, for the bulk of his career. After retiring from Texas Utilities, he worked as a consultant in the energy sector for three more years. He was an avid sports fan and played competitive tennis throughout his adult life.

Leroy is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Gwen Churchill, his children, Eric (Tricia) Churchill and Chris (Jason) Albrecht, his brothers, Todd (Anne) Churchill and Sean Kendrick, six grandchildren, Eve Churchill, Ellie Churchill, Patrick Churchill, Gabrielle Churchill, Kiersten Albrecht and Cole Albrecht, his niece, Tana (Scott) Halfman, and nephew Dillon Kendrick, and his beloved golden retriever, Cooper.

Leroy was first and foremost a family man. He coached his children's sports teams and was their biggest cheerleader in any activity. Leroy was always ready to offer advice and support for his children's endeavors. Upon retirement, he spent countless hours attending his grandchildrens' activities--from sporting events like soccer, football, baseball, softball, and basketball--to theater performances, religious sacraments and school festivals. "Papa's" constant presence in the bleachers (and running commentary) at every event will be sorely missed.

Leroy loved his Catholic faith and serving others. He and Gwen were deeply involved in their faith communities wherever they lived, most recently at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Dripping Springs. There, Leroy served as a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Knights of Columbus, a participant in That Man Is You (a men's fellowship group), a leader in the A.C.T.S. retreat movement, and played an instrumental role in the St. Vincent de Paul Society, where he worked at the Food Pantry and made regular Home Health Visits to those in need. In addition, he spent many hours volunteering at The Burke Center For Youth, a home for young men and boys who have been removed from their home environments due to abuse. Finally, Leroy derived great joy from helping friends and family with their finances, offering career guidance and just being a good listener.

During retirement, Leroy and Gwen made time to travel throughout North America in their RV, spending every summer in Colorado, and exploring from Alaska to Nova Scotia and all of the contiguous United States. Leroy was very involved in the Discovery Texans RV Group and helped many of his fellow RV owners understand and make repairs to their RVs. Two years before he passed away, he and Gwen also traveled to The Holy Land, which was truly the trip of a lifetime.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church on October 16 at 9:30 am, with Father Charlie Garza of St. Albert the Great Catholic Church officiating. Visitation will be held the night before at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church on October 15, from 6:30-7:30 pm, followed by a Vigil/Rosary Prayer Service at 7:30 pm. The interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made either to the Building To Heal Fund at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, https://stmartindp.weshareonline.org/index.aspx, or The Burke Center For Youth, https://burkecenterforyouth.org/donations/, both in Dripping Springs.

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