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Memories and Tributes
Obituary
Charles W. Counter, a loving husband and father passed away peacefully on May 12, 2024.
Charles was a Navy Veteran and longtime resident of Portland, Texas. "Charlie," as he was known to many, was born on February 8, 1933, in Burkburnett, Texas to his parents George W. Counter, and Mildred Counter (VanLoh). Charlie attended Burkburnett High School. Charlie received a football scholarship to Midwestern University where he was awarded Conference Football Player of the Year in 1952. Charlie earned a BS in Biology.
Following graduation from Midwestern University, Charlie joined the United States Navy and became a Naval Aviator in 1955. He received his aviator prop training in Pensacola, FL and jet training in Beeville, Texas. He was then issued his Navy Wings at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station in 1956. He was assigned to aerial reconnaissance flight training, flying the F98P Photo Cougar jet. As a LtJG, he was then deployed attached to Photo Recon Squadron VFP-62, Det. 43-58 with the 6th Fleet aboard the USS Saratoga CV-60 for the Mediterranean Cruise of 1958. While in the Med, the Lebanese Crisis of 1958 erupted, and Operation Blue Bat was ordered by President Eisenhower. He was then selected for a solo mission, flying the first United States Aircraft over hostile territory after the Korean War. He flew 30 missions and had over 900 hours of flight time. Charlie was very proud of his Country and his military service and had an endless supply of amazing stories while overseas. He then served as a Lieutenant as a reserve Navy pilot out of Ellington Field Joint Reserve Center in Houston, Texas and was eventually released from reserve status in 1967.
Following his active flight career, Charlie coached football at Spring Branch High School in Hedwig Village, Texas where he met his loving wife, Marcia Glen Crawford. They were married in 1959 in Bossier City, LA.; they were married 56 years until Marcia passed away in 2015.
Charlie (and Marcia) moved to Arizona where he taught and coached, then to San Marcos, where he coached at Gary Job Corps. In 1969, they moved to Portland, Texas where he taught and coached. Working for the Gregory-Portland Independent School District, he taught at T. M. Clark Elementary, GP Junior High, and GP High School where he coached swimming, golf and taught Industrial Cooperative Training. He felt he had a special calling to help many students learn a solid work ethic. He was very passionate about helping students. His classroom offered more than industrial training. His kindness, and soft spoken mannerism kept his students engaged in his "lessons." Today, we can witness how his commitment to shaping young lives influenced so many. It is heartwarming when former students attribute their success to his influence. Charlie retired from GPISD in 1997.
Charlie loved his family unconditionally. He enjoyed sharing treasured memories of his childhood and military service with family and friends. Despite the loss of two sons and his wife, Charlie maintained a positive attitude and remained committed to helping others. He loved making others laugh despite the tragedies he had endured.
Charlie enjoyed fishing, hunting, and the farm life, spending many hours at his river property and family farm in Tivoli, Texas. He had many friends from Portland, Aransas Pass, Ingleside On The Bay and Rockport and enjoyed volunteering at Castaways in Rockport, Texas for over 20 years.
Charlie is preceded in death by his wife, Marcia, his parents, and children Mark and Bronson.
Charlie is survived by his son Todd Counter, and his daughters Blayne (Curt) Wunschel and Paige (Richard) Counter-Raabe, as well as two grandchildren Nickolas (Jordan) Wunschel and Charlie Wunschel.
A graveside service to honor the life of Charlie will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 10:00 AM. Charlie will be laid to rest with Full Military Honors next to his beloved wife, Marcia, at Palms Memorial Garden, Portland, Texas.
(9/27/24) As Webmaster, I have had no greater satisfaction than receiving information from family members of VFP-62 servicemen. And that is most true with Lt. Charlie Counter's son, Todd. He has been unique in thriving on his father's naval aviation career and sharing photos and stories from the era of the squadron when VFP-62 was transitioning into more sophisticated photo reconnaissance jets, such as the F9F-8P Cougar, which Charlie flew.
Having a son or daughter that has genuine interest in their father's legacy, is also exhibted in our "Squadron History" page. I invite you to go there and see many instances of this rare loyalty being exhibited. In addition to "Squadron History," I recommend "VFP-62 Memorabilia" for more information on the F9F-8P Cougar and detachments of that era.
With my condolences, Ken Jack
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