The family of Charles Louis Hirsch, of Garland, TX, are saddened to announce his death. Charles passed-away at Methodist Richardson Hospital on Friday, May 20, 2022, around 1:00 a.m. Charles died suddenly from an unexpected medical condition, while routinely recovering from minor surgery. Charles Louis Hirsch was 88 years.
Charles was born on February 16, 1934, in Mounds City, Illinois, the only child of Herman Hirsch and Georgia Gunter Hirsch. He lived his childhood in Cairo, IL, where he met and married his high school sweetheart. Charles graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University and then entered the U.S. Air Force, as Second Lieutenant, and serving as a navigator on large radar planes at Keesler Air Force Base, in Biloxi, Mississippi. Charles’ wife gave birth to a daughter, Deborah Hirsch Keiffer, at SIU and then a second daughter, Kathy Hirsch Lay, while at Keesler Air Force Base.
After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Charles and family moved to Garland, TX, where he worked at Collins Radio in Dallas, TX and attended Southern Methodist University Law School at night. Charles graduated with honors from S.M.U. Law, June 1, 1964, and began his law practice in Garland at that time. Charles practiced law in Garland for 58 years before retiring in 2004. Charles was a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Garland where he served that organization for 45 years. In addition to Charles’ professional career and commitment to the Rotary Club, Charles served two stints as a Garland Municipal Court Judge, once from 1969-1971 and again from 1996-2004, a combined total service of 11-years.
In 1980 Charles married wife Wanda Rogers Hirsch, also of Garland, TX, and became the proud step-father to Rene’ Smith and Sheri Kopidlansky, also of Garland. Charles and Wanda were happily married for 42-years, until his death. Charles and Wanda were members of the First Baptist Church of Garland, where Charles served as Deacon for many years and was proud of his 62-year membership in the church. Charles served faithfully as a volunteer in the church’s Friendship House program for the past 10 years and only discontinued his service within the last two years, as age prevented him from effectively serving.
Charles is survived by his wife, Wanda, his daughter Deborah, his daughter Kathy, his daughter Rene’, his daughter Sheri, four sons-in-law, 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Charles’ remains are being managed by Smith Funeral Services, Sachse, TX. The family will have a private, family only, viewing on June 3, 2022. Charles’ remains will be interred in a private ceremony at the DFW Veterans’ Cemetery in Dallas, TX, in military fashion, on June 9, 2022.