Athens - Charles Seabourne, fondly known as Poppy, was born June 19, 1937, and died peacefully with family by his side on February 18th, 2026, at the age of 88. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, veteran, teacher, coach, Sunday school teacher and friend, and lived a life full of love for family, nature and his church.

Charles lived in Eustace, Texas most of his life. As past students described, he was a favorite teacher and coach, with storytelling and problem-solving skills that would impact their lives for years to come. He was a Renaissance Man in every sense of the word. He had an uncanny knowledge and expertise in many fields and honed those skills throughout his life. He loved ranching, gardening, restoring and collecting classic cars, taxidermy, singing, playing guitar, golfing, and model airplanes. One of his fondest creations was his full-size, one-man airplane that he built from scratch along with a landing strip in his pasture, although Moppy only allowed him one teaspoon of gas for his flight. Charles was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a fishing guide, Berkley rep, and had his own newspaper column and tv show "Outdoors with Charles." His kids and grandkids all agreed—"he was the most brilliant person on the planet."

During his time as a school teacher and coach, you could find him in the gym playing basketball with the boys and doing his signature twisted, fly-in-the-air, over-the-back-shoulder, hook shot (that they all tried to mimic but couldn't master).

Charles loved every second of the day and couldn't wait to wake to a new adventure. He might be working in his flower garden or mowing or hauling hay in his John Deere tractor. But you would find him happiest fishing for trout on the White River in Arkansas with Janelle by his side and eagles flying overhead.

Charles was preceded in death by the love of his life Janelle Seabourne, his parents Leo and Bonnie Seabourne, and sister Jan Wheat.

He leaves behind daughters Jana Autry and husband Barry, and Holly Reed and husband Kelvin; grandchildren Whitney Best and husband Blake, Brady Autry and wife Melanie, Hallye Coyle and husband David, Macy Cox and husband Daniel, and Garrett Reed; and great grandchildren Charley Best, Bennett Autry and Janie Autry who will always remember his many talents, skills and practical knowledge of all things. He is also survived by his sister Brenda Williams, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, students and friends who were touched by his zest for life.

He was a Deacon and member of First Baptist Church of Mabank for over 50 years.

Services are under the direction of Autry's Carroll Lehr Funeral Home, Athens.

Visitation will be Monday, February 23rd at Autry's Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home in Athens from 5-7pm. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, February 24thth at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church, Mabank, Texas. Family and friends are invited to come together in his honor, to share memories and celebrate the extraordinary life he lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts to be given to Hospice of East Texas, Tyler, Texas for their kind and gentle care of Charles.

A private family burial will be at Still Waters Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville.

Pallbearers: Grandsons Brady Autry, Garrett Reed, Blake Best, David Coyle, Daniel Cox, and great grandsons Charley Best and Bennett Autry

Honorary Pallbearers: Jerry Allen, Kenny Barton, Howard Horton, Eddie Moseley, Don Pearson and Larry Teague, John Walter Hyde.