Charles Elvin Larance, 84, of The Woodlands, Texas, passed away on Saturday, October 13, 2018. Charles was born on November 18, 1933, in Hilly, Louisiana to Aubin and Elice Larance. He grew up in the north Louisiana towns of Hilly and Dubach. He became actively engaged with all members of the local community through his parents’ ownership of a peach orchard and a small- town gas station. After graduating from Ruston High School, he attended Louisiana Tech University where he made many friends and met the love of his life, Patsy Elizabeth Colvin. They married on October 23, 1955 in the Fellowship, Louisiana community. They returned home from their honeymoon to a draft notice and thus began his life-long involvement with the US Army. After 2 years active duty in Alaska, he transitioned to the Army Reserves and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Charles and Pat made their home in El Dorado, Arkansas for almost 40 years. He worked as a forester and petroleum land man for Deltic Timber, Munoco, and Black Consulting. He attended First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and a member of the finance committee.
In 2003, Charles retired, and they moved to The Woodlands to be closer to their children. The move brought new friends through The Woodlands United Methodist church, and neighborhood activities. He also became a well- known sideline presence at all the activities of their grandchildren. Charles was keenly interested in what all his kids and grandchildren were doing and kept up with them routinely on all the social media sites.
He is survived by his wife, Patsy, son Jerry and his wife Kim and their children Jonathan, David and wife Lindsay, and Jackson; his daughter Lisa Thompson and her husband Nino, and their children Grace Park and husband Charlie, Maggie Thompson and Emma Thompson. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Aubin and Elice, and his brother, Lane. He is also survived by his sister, Joan Warren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at The Woodlands United Methodist Church in the Robb Chapel with reception following in the Jones library. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Woodlands United Methodist Church or the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation at www.cdlsusa.org.