Charlene Lueck

Charlene “Char” Janell Lueck, 79, passed away on May 2, 2024, in Houston, after a life of service and compassion for others.

She was born Feb, 17, 1945, in Gatesville to Martin and Ermgard Lueck. After graduating from Hamilton High School in 1963, she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Texas Christian University in 1967. She later earned a master’s degree in nursing administration from Texas Woman’s University in 1982.

Char’s professional dedication to helping others began with her military service from 1967 to 1971 in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. She served as a naval officer in Pensacola, Florida, Japan and Vietnam, on the naval hospital ship USS Sanctuary during the Vietnam War.

Following her military career, Char worked as a civil service nurse from 1972 to 1977 at Letterman Army Medical Center at the Presidio in San Francisco, California, and later at Methodist Hospital in Houston. She also served as assistant nurse administrator at Orange County Hospital in Orange. She completed her nursing career at Memorial Hospital of Galveston County as the Director of Physician Services Char’s surviving family members include sisters Louise Coston and husband Hugh and sister Janet Killian; brother Ron Lueck and wife Jeanne; eight nieces and nephews; and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.

A celebration of life was held at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Houston May 14. She was to be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Houston National Cemetery.