Charley G. Rader

Charley G. Rader, longtime Longview resident and the owner of Rader Funeral Home, passed away peacefully July 19, 2007, surrounded by his family. He was born March 23, 1932 in Paris, Texas, the son of LeRoy and Minnie Bea Rader. He grew up in Kilgore and attended Kilgore Public Schools and Kemper Military School in Missouri. He graduated from the University of North Texas and then the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. He married his sweetheart, Betty Wyche in December, 1952. They moved to Longview in the fall of 1953, after his father had purchased the Rains and Talley Funeral Home on Fredonia Street in downtown Longview. When they moved to Longview they knew no one, but made many wonderful friends and always thanked the Lord that he brought them to Longview. Raised as Presbyterians one of the first things Betty and Charley did was join the First Presbyterian Church in Longview, where he served as a teacher, Deacon, Elder and Trustee. As a young man he was active in many organizations including the Jaycee?s. He was invited to join the Longview Rotary Club, where he had 50 years perfect attendance and had served as President and was honored by being selected a Paul Harris Fellow. He served as a director of the International Order of the Golden Rule, an international group of independent funeral home owners. He also served as President of the East Texas Funeral Directors Association and served a term as a director for the Texas Funeral Directors Association. Through the years he served in many other organizations including the American Heart Association and the Red Cross. He served as a community advisor for the Junior League of Longview and worked on the committee that organized the Greater Longview United Way and was currently a founding trustee of the Greenwood Cemetery Association. He was Chairman of the Board of LeRoy Rader Funeral Home, Inc., vice-president of East Texas Crematory, Inc. and secretary of Rosewood Park Cemetery. Charley was a man of great faith, extraordinary courage and strength. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather and a friend to many. His faith in Christ sustained him through many years of heart disease. He never let his illness get him down and always bounced back with grace to fulfill the task the Lord put before him. A man of great integrity and compassion, he was born to be a funeral director. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Betty; his daughter, Lynn Martin and her husband, Jerry of Longview and their children, Emily Martin of Houston and Laura Martin of Dallas; his son, Charles Rader and his wife, Lacy of Longview and their children, Preston Rader and Sarah Rader both of Lubbock. He leaves a sister, India Rader Stroope of Kilgore and a niece and several nephews. Funeral services will be 2 PM Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church with Revs. Jonathan Jehorek and Harlan Hall officiating under the direction of Rader Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at Rosewood Park. The family wishes to thank Dr. James Sawyer, Jenna, Anna and his entire staff for their care and support through these last few years and to his special caregiver, Lou Scott for the wonderful, loving attention she gave him. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or to the Crisman School.

Charley G. Rader

March 23, 1932 - July 19, 2007