Charles Edgar Deyhle, Jr.

Charles Edgar, “Charlie” Deyhle, Jr., DVM

On Monday, June 29, 2026, our dear Charles Edgar Deyhle, Jr., “Charlie”, 73 of Horseshoe Bay, Texas took his final and most glorious flight.

Charlie, the son of Frances and Dr. Charles Deyhle, Sr. was born July 26, 1952, in Memphis and grew up in Clarendon. As a boy he loved bikes, cars, mechanics, music, baseball and as soon as he could hold a shovel, began working at the Clarendon Veterinary Hospital, under his father’s watchful eye. His passion for aviation began early, soloing when he was 15 and earning his private pilot’s license at 16, even before receiving his driver’s license.

After graduation from Clarendon High School, Charlie attended Texas Tech University and became a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. It was there he met his sister’s roommate, Jamie, the one he would love for the rest of his life. Soon after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, he married Jamie Avant on August 17, 1974, in Dilley, Texas.

The adventure then led the couple to College Station, making their home in a 12 X 50-foot trailer house. Charlie would boast about having 2 window units, and a front row seat to the trains that rattled the little house with every passing. Charlie worked checking water meters while attending Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and somehow found the time to become the Texas A&M Intramural Handball Champion. He graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1977.

He then joined his father at the Clarendon Veterinary Hospital. The young veterinarian and Jamie immersed themselves in Clarendon’s community and were blessed with two children, Charles Blake and Leia Kate. After 19 years, the family moved to Canyon, where Charlie was the owner-operator of Deyhle Veterinary Services, specializing in animal health management for intensified beef cattle stocker, and feedlot operations in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Nebraska; consulting also in Australia and Mexico.

Throughout Dr. Deyhle’s career he was recognized as Distinguished Alumnus of A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and was presented the Mark Francis Award. He was commissioned in 1982 to join the Governor’s Task Force on Agricultural Development. He served as President of the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, and was honored by his peer members as Consultant of the Year in 2001; and by the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab as Veterinary Diagnostician of the Year. The American Association of Bovine Practitioners awarded him the Food Animal Practitioner of the Year. He was a lifetime member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. He served on the Task Force instrumental in the development of the Externship Program for the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine at West Texas A&M University; which developed into a College of Veterinary Medicine at West Texas A&M University.

Charlie often said he felt extremely grateful to have spent over 46 years doing work he truly loved. He answered his phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and formed lifelong friendships with his clients. He logged more than 16,000 hours flying to feedyards and ranches. He held ratings as Airline Transport Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Instrument, Multiengine and Helicopter Pilot.

Charlie was a lifelong Methodist, serving in many capacities in Clarendon and Canyon, and later, a member of The Church of Horseshoe Bay, he came to dearly love. He would talk often about feeling the presence of God while alone, flying through the heavens overlooking all of God’s creation. He would ask, “How could anyone not believe in God?”

Even with his busy career, there was no doubt that family was the center of Charlie’s life. His wife, children and extended family meant everything to him. His four grandchildren brought a new level of joy. He treasured his friendships as well as took pride in mentoring young cattlemen, and celebrating their successes.

Charlie worked with integrity as hard as any man can work, but also played hard, with joy and gusto in all he did. Passions beyond family included flying, the mountains of Colorado, music, his’92 Ford Mustang, his dogs, hiking, country dancing and after retirement, a fiend at pickleball-or just driving around with his wife of almost 52 years-who always called him her “Superman”. This was a man who never sat still.

His was without question, a life well lived.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frances and Chuck Deyhle and his brother-in-law, Jim Hill.

He is survived by his wife, Jamie; son, Blake Deyhle of Richmond, Virginia; daughter, Leia Anderson and son in law, Michael Anderson; grandchildren, Wells, Lillie, Carly and Anna Grace, all of Houston. Sisters Sandy Hill of Loveland, Colorado, Becky (John) McKinley of Amarillo, Jenny (Jodie) Rapp of Austin; brothers in law Jim Avant of Houston and Jeff (Cindy) Avant of Dilley, as well as many cousins and nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

The family would like to express deep gratitude for the loving care Charlie received over the last several months from “Charlie’s Angels”. David Cooley, Elizabeth Martinez, Tiresa Greene, Felicia Williams and Takerra Asbury were invaluable and will not be forgotten.