Charlie Lee Uselton

Charlie Lee Uselton, 83, of Gainesville, passed away December 28, 2020 at Medical City Hospital in Denton.

Mr. Uselton was preceded in death by his parents, Henry & Carrie Uselton, Sr.; sister, Ruby Uselton Johnson and husband, Dan; brother, Robert E. Uselton and wife, Ann; and brother Henry Uselton, Jr. and wife, Wanda.

Surviving include his wife, Barbara Lowrie Uselton; his children: Vikki Culbertson and husband Terry, Sherri Noel and husband Russell, and Charles (Randy) Uselton and wife Trish; grandchildren: Phillip Culbertson and wife Melinda, Kaitlyn Culbertson Lee and husband Trey, Lawren Uselton Rhoades and husband David, Garrett Noel and wife Hilary, Brooke Noel Burns and husband Michael; and great-grandchildren: Madilee Culbertson, Cayden Culbertson, Millie Culbertson, Sawyer Lee and Tyler Lee.

Charlie was born February 7, 1937 in Euless, TX.  He married Barbara Lee Lowrie on March 28, 1959 in Wellington, Texas.  They were married 61 years.  They met in college at Decatur Baptist College (now Dallas Baptist University).  Charlie attended on a basketball scholarship where he was Captain of the team.  He completed his Associate of Science degree in 1956.  Charlie then continued with his basketball and college education at Texas Wesleyan University and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in 1958.  He completed his Master of Education from Texas Wesleyan college in 1961.

Charlie started his career as a math teacher, coach and later Assistant Principal for the high school at Bridgeport, Texas ISD.  In 1962, he moved to Chico, Texas where he was high school Principal and coach.  In 1965, Charlie became the Superintendent of Schools at Ponder, Texas ISD at the age of 28, while continuing his own education and taking graduate courses at North Texas State University in Denton, TX.  In 1968, he continued his administrative career and became the Assistant Superintendent in Teague, Texas ISD.  Charlie’s next position was Superintendent of Schools at Blooming Grove, Texas ISD and then Colorado City, Texas ISD.  His final position was Superintendent of Schools for Gainesville, Texas ISD from 1988 -1993, at which time he retired.

During his career, Charlie was honored by Texas Wesleyan University and was one of two who received the Distinguished Educator Award in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the School of Education.  He also served on a Governor’s Select Task Force of 12 superintendents in the state of Texas whose purpose was to assist and advise school boards.

Charlie continued in education after retirement as an interim superintendent in over 30 school districts across the state of Texas.  His final retirement was 2007.

Charlie was dedicated to the education of children.  He said, “I put my heart and soul into being the best school administrator that I could be”.  He loved spending time on campuses getting to know students and staff as well as eating in the school cafeteria.

Charlie and Barbara are members of the First Baptist Church in Gainesville, TX, where Charlie served as a Deacon and on various committees.  He also served on the board of CASA in Cooke County.  He was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years.

Charlie was a people person and loved spending time with family.  Holidays and birthdays were always special because he got to spend time with his children and be PawPaw to his grandchildren.  He especially loved the food that came with that too.

Charlie and Barbara loved spending time traveling in their RV, riding his John Deere tractor, taking care of his cars, and spending time with family and friends.

The family will be having a private family graveside service due to the challenging times.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church Benevolence Fund or to Samaritan’s Purse.