Charles J. Albus

SERVICES: Rosary will be at 7:00 PM Monday, August 29, 2011, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel, with Rev. Joseph Ravi, associate pastor of St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church, officiating. Memorial mass will be at 10:00 AM Tuesday, August 30, 2011, at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church, with Rev. Tony Neusch, pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Shamrock, officiating. Final salute will be by the Father Dunne, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. His ceremonial sword will be presented to his oldest son and his chapeau will be presented to his oldest daughter. INURNMENT: Memory Gardens Cemetery with military honors courtesy of the U. S. Army, Fort Hood, Texas. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Albus was born January 26, 1928 in Rhineland, Knox County, Texas, to John and Mary Stengel Albus. He attended parochial and public schools in Rhineland, graduating in 1945. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II, during the occupation of Japan. He met Lorraine (Lori) Bichsel in the summer of 1947 while harvesting wheat in the Texas panhandle. They were married on October 12, 1948 in White Deer. They lived in Denver, Colorado, and White Deer before making their home in Pampa in 1951. He retired from Celanese Chemical Company in Pampa in 1987 after 34 years of service. He organized the Celanese Retirees Club and served as president the first two 2 years. As a 3rd Degree member of the Frank Keim Council of the Knights of Columbus in Pampa, he served as chancellor, deputy grand knight, grand knight and polish sausage chairman. During lifetime membership of 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Father Dunne Assembly in Amarillo, he was faithful navigator, faithful captain and marshal of the 4th degree. He was a member of St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church and served as head usher, on the parish council, and taught altar servers. He served as president of the parent/teacher association and as chairman of the Halloween carnival for St. Vincent dePaul Catholic School. He was an avid fisherman and camper. In later years, Lori and Chuck traveled in their motor home throughout the United States and Canada.SURVIVORS: 6 sons: Nicholas (Nick) Albus and wife Sharon of Trinity, Charles (Chuck) Albus, Jr. and wife Colleen, Michael (Mike) Albus and wife Gina, all of Pampa, Anthony (Tony) Albus and wife Jeanne of Mansfield, John Albus and wife Laura of Gresham, Oregon, Thomas (Tom) Albus and wife Cissy of Brenham; 4 daughters: Susan Albus and wife Anne Surrat of Houston; Briget Francis and husband John of Henderson, Nevada; Paulette Cottom and husband Jeff of Pampa, and Leslie Whitten of Dallas; 32 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife: Lorraine; his parents: John and Mary Albus; 5 brothers, 2 sisters and 3 grandchildren: Jacob Albus, Shawn Albus and Shawna Albus.