Charles Robert Hrdlicka, III was born July 16, 1938 in Houston to Dorothy and Charles Hrdlicka. He went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 21, 2013. Charley graduated from Southern Methodist University with a B.B.A. in Banking and Finance and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. In 1959 he married the love of his life, Andra Lee Reed. In addition to his wife of almost 54 years, he is survived by his daughters, Kimberly Hrdlicka Elorriaga of San Antonio, Elizabeth Hrdlicka Craig and her husband Paul Craig, of Houston, and Karel Hrdlicka Hoffman and her husband Kenneth Hoffman, of San Antonio. Charley and Andra were blessed with seven grandsons: Charles Hunter Harris, John Tyler Elorriaga, John Campbell Craig, Charles Durham Craig, Kenneth Key Hoffman, IV, Charles Hrdlicka Hoffman and William Cook Hoffman.He was preceded in death by his sister Mary "Cookie" Charlton two years ago.
Charley began his career at Bank of Texas in Houston in 1961 followed by a move to Great Southern Bank as President. His career continued to excel as President of InterFirst Bank, Conroe before becoming President of InterFirst Bank, San Antonio. Charley then became Chairman and CEO of Victoria Bankshares and its principal subsidiary Victoria Bank and Trust. The sale of Victoria Bankshares transitioned him to Vice Chairman of Norwest Bank Texas, San Antonio. After a brief stint in retirement he served as President of Texas Capital Bank, San Antonio region where he remained involved until 2007.
During Charley’s career he was honored to serve as Chairman of the Texas Bankers Association, the Board of Directors of the American Bankers Association and a member of the Federal Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve System.
Charley continued to share his talents of strategic planning and discernment in the community as a board member of Texas Chamber of Commerce, Texas Research League and Christ Healing Center. Additionally he was a member of the Methodist Healthcare System Community Board and its Bioethics, Nominating and Professional Staff committees.
Charley’s life focus was to serve the Lord Jesus Christ with purpose to be the best servant, husband, father, grandfather (Pops) and friend in order that He might be glorified. His commitment to Christ led him to be extensively involved in ministry. As a member of Alamo Heights United Methodist Church he served on the AHUMC Foundation Board and the Board of Stewards. He joyfully celebrated the Lord through Men of Life Bible Study, Band of Brothers, Walk to Emmaus and Stephen Ministry. His gift of evangelism was evident in his mission work through East-West Ministries International, most notably in Cuba, and Men of Light Ministries.
He loved travelling with Andra, family and friends. He cherished his times of fellowship. He loved his dogs and his adventures. The diversity of these adventures ranged from hunting on O’Connor ranches, fishing the Amazon, “thousand bird days” in Argentina and following dolphins in Rockport. His passion and respect for the outdoors that he shared with his family and grandsons is his greatest legacies.
Charley’s life will be celebrated at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, 825 E. Basse Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209 on Tuesday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m. followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alamo Heights United Methodist Church Foundation, Christ Healing Center or East-West International Ministries.
