PHONE: (972) 562-2601 Charles Eugene Forque June 26, 1930 - July 30, 2005 Charles Eugene Forque, 75, former director of bands Robert E. Lee High School, Baytown, TX (1952-1978) and Plano Senior High School, Plano, TX (1978-1990) went home to be with his Lord and Savior after a five year holding pattern of Alzheimer’s. Charles loved flying, golf, his bands, NASA, and his grandchildren. Charles was inducted into Phi Beta Mu, Alpha Chapter, Texas Bandmaster’s Hall of Fame (2001). He held professional memberships in TMEA, TBA, Phi Beta Mu, and TSTA. He was choir director at First Christian Church, Baytown, and later, First Presbyterian Church, Baytown. He was a member of First Christian Church, McKinney. Charles held a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Music Education from Sam Houston State University. Charles’ bands earned 34 Sweepstakes Awards in 36 Years of U.I.L. competitions, numerous other awards and championships, and were privileged to have “Doc” Severinsen perform 43 concerts with the bands over the years. Charles was born to Lillian Davis Forque and Asa Lee Forque on June 26, 1930 at Cedar Bayou, TX near present day Baytown. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Martha Peveto Forque and Seymour Lee Forque after his mother’s death when he was six years old. He was preceded in death by his beloved sisters, Agnes Marie Forque, Emma Forque Lain, and his brother, Asa Lee Forque, Jr. Charles is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ednajo, who patiently cared for him at home until his last day, his only child, Cheryl, and her husband, Samuel B. Melton, of Wilmington, North Carolina, his only grandson, Patrick B. Melton, of Charleston, South Carolina, and his only granddaughter, Colleen Denise, of Wilmington, North Carolina. He is also survived by his sister, Judy, and her husband, Patrick O’Brian of Oceanside, Doris and her husband, Joe Rountree of Deer Park, TX, and Becky and her husband, Jim Brawley of Channelview, Texas, and sister-in-law, Juanita Akagi of Rusk, TX. Funeral services will be held at First Christian Church, McKinney, TX at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 2, 2005. Graveside services will be held at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale, Houston, TX at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 3, 2005. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the capital campaign at First Christian Church, McKinney or to the high school band programs at Robert E. Lee High School, Baytown, TX, or Plano Senior High School, Plano, TX. Memorials Lovingly remember Charles Forque band director. HERBERT JAMES KOUDELKA, OCTOBER 12, 2019 I knew Charles Forque when he taught me the Trumpet at Crosby High School at Crosby, Texas, then again at Robert E. Lee High School 1957 to 1959 where I graduated. Then again when I took flying at Humphrey Airport in Baytown. I particularly remember when I owned a Piper Cherokee Arrow and he could also fly planes. We went up to 10,000 feet (two miles up) to see Baytown and surrounding areas. He was a wonderful Trumpet player and he was a friend of Doc Severinsen, probably the greatest Trumpet player of our generation. May God Bless his soul as I had many fond memories of him a very good man. I miss him. HERBERT KOUDELKA, OCTOBER 12, 2019 I remember Charles Forque as a man who believed in miracles! He believed that with lots of hard work, we could be a band of excellence. I will never forget his inspiring and passionate talks about what he expected from us -- nothing short of our very best. He gave us opportunities that were amazing -- performing on TV on "Salute to Youth" and performing with Doc Severinson. Most of all, though, he was used by the Lord to unite us into a wonderful community -- something I was very blessed to be part of. I played clarinet in the Symphonic Band and graduated in the Robert E. Lee class of 1967. I'm very grateful for Charles Forque, and I pray God's richest blessings on his family. PATRICIA WIMMER STREETER, APRIL 22, 2010 Edna Jo & Cheryl, Here it is a yr later, and I did not know that Charles had this dreaded disease and had passed on. I am so sorry for your loss. I remember being your next door neighbor for yrs on Grantham, and babysitting Cheryl on numerous ocassions druing my jr and sr high yrs. I must say Charles was always an inspiratiion to me. Although I was not in band at REL, I thought I was mighty big stuff at school knowing and being the neighbor and personal friend of Charles. Thanks for being a friend and neighbor to my parents, my brother, and myself. I lost my mom (Lorraine) in '93 and my dad (Bill) in 2003. Even though it is a yr later, I am sure the loss is still great, but thank God for all the wonderful memories we all have of your beloved husband and father. Many blessings to you both. Barbara (Beardmore) Roquemore BARBARA BEARDMORE ROQUEMORE, AUGUST 20, 2006 Charles Forque had a tremendous musical and personal impact on my life. I was in the Plano band from '97-'99 so I wasn't under his leadership but you can tell that his spirt was still there when he guess conducted several of our concerts. I went on to play in the Collin County Community Band under his direction and enjoyed playing for him. He'll always be in my memories and God Bless Him. DAVID MAUGHAN, FEBRUARY 8, 2006 One More thing... Remember, IT NEVER RAINS ON THE PLANO BAND! KEITH BROWN, NOVEMBER 26, 2005 Today is November 25th, 2005. After a fattening day of giving thanks, My family and I discussed High School Playoff Football. As a graduate of PSHS Class of '88 and a PROUD member of the Marching Wildcat Band I just had to relive some memories. I watched our Band Video and laughed at the times we had! The greatful pleasure I had to be a part of it. I had to look up to see what the mastermind of all of our halftime shows had his hands into after his retirement.... my laughter ended. Even know my eyes are still damp. It was summer of 1996 and I had not played my sax for two years, and I wanted to play again. With a hand shake and a smile Mr. Forque found a place for me in his "Little Band". From that instant on I would come to know the gift that God had given everyone who met the man. Pine-ap-ple pine...pickpoints, forever ingrained into my head. Thank you Mr. Forque for allowing all of us to talk you into scatter drills, thank you for the Pre-game march around the field to Grandioso, and for your teachings. Not only music but Fellowship! I know that my heart is a better, you have allowed me to give people a chance too! So the next time I hear someone reading from the phone book... To the family of Mr. Forque, my heart felt simpathy. Our loss his our Father's gain. And I will look forward to the day where he can stand on the podium and direct me again. [email protected] KEITH PHILLIPS, NOVEMBER 26, 2005 Jeff and I are sorry for your loss, but we have pleasant memories of the years we knew Charles. We were privileged to play under Charles for several years in the Plano Community Band. After reading all the earlier memorials, I certainly wish I had been one of Charles' high school band members! In addition to the good qualities that many others have already mentioned, we especially appreciated Charles allowing us to bring our young children to weekly rehearsals. We tried to ensure they were well-behaved, but there were occasional exceptions. If it bothered him, he certainly didn't show it and it was obvious how much he enjoyed being around children. LINDE AND JEFF LYNN, AUGUST 25, 2005 I could never forget Mr. Forque and how much of an influence he was in my high school years (1968-1970). I still play my flute, but I miss the flying conductor's baton that often was "accidently" aimed at the flute section. And, as always, Lee Band Rules! SUSAN HAINES HALL, AUGUST 23, 2005 Cheryl and Mrs. Forque, I was saddened to learn of your loss. Mr. Forque was a positive influence in my life and I was proud to be one of his students and a member of the Famous Robert E. Lee Band. The concerts with Doc, the marching and concert contests, the Corpus trips, the many practices until we "got it right" - are all memories I will cherish forever. I am still amazed how he inspired a high school band to play "Carmina Burana" as well as we did, and it remains one of my favorite pieces of music. May God bless you and your family. "Lee Band Rules!" Band Reporter - Class of 1970 Cyndi Johnson - San Antonio, TX CYNDI JOHNSON, AUGUST 14, 2005 Dear Cheryl & Family, I was so sadden to hear of your loss. Not a day goes by that I don't think back of the good old days as a proud member of "The Famous Robert E Lee Band”. To this day, I have never seen any high school band come close to obtaining the perfection as we did under his leadership. I remember so fondly the sound of the Drum Major’s whistle and remember how nervous but at the same time so extremely proud I felt to be a part of such a great legacy.