Charles Edmond Hollis

Charles “Charlie” Edmond Hollis was born, August 12, 1948, in Texarkana, TX. He moved with his family to Mount Pleasant, TX then Oklahoma City, OK. Charlie attended Central State University leaving an impressionable mark and earning a Distinguished Graduate award. While in OKC, Charlie met his wife Terry Ingram in March of 1967 on a blind date. They were married July 29th, 1969, for 52 memorable years.

Charlie’s drive for success landed him a job right out of college with Xerox. Then in 1978 Charlie fathered his son, Charles “Chas” Edmond Hollis II. Not long after, he earned new opportunities and promotions, moving his family to Rochester, NY and eventually to Houston where he found home.

Charlie knew the importance of hard work and play. He knew if he was going to play hard, he needed to work hard. He was the master at both living by the mantra “if it is to be, it’s up to me”. Word quickly spread of his legendary work ethic, and Charlie became known as the “Maverick” among colleagues and more.

After a successful career with Xerox his talents were recruited and his skills were needed with a small copier dealership that was later acquired by IKON Office Solutions where he sat as the president of the Houston area. Charlie then took his reputation for outstanding sales and impeccable service and grew the most notable privately owned water and ice machine business in Texas, Mirex AquaPure Solutions. During which time he sat on the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Better Business Bureau and was a mentor to many.

Charlie had a knack for lifting spirits. He was loud with an infectious smile. Charlie liked doing things his way, to him rules were meant to be broken. He was generous and supportive and always willing to assist those who came for help.

When Charlie wasn’t at work, he was battling killer bees in Venezuela and surviving hot air balloon extravaganzas in Napa. During football season you knew where to find him especially when the Texans or OU Sooners were playing. During hunting season he attended a traditional dove hunt with his close friends and son. During white bass season he would troll his favorite spots until everyone caught their limit.

He loved nothing more than spending time at the lake with his wife, son, family members and friends. Charlie was larger than life. Always laughing while living the adventurous stories he would later revisit through extremely animated retellings to captive audiences.

Charlie was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, an uncle, a friend, a boss and so much more, but also a Papa. His grandchildren will never forget their tickle wars, tangled fishing lines and fish fries, tootling and trolling in the boat, making memories in magical places, being together, breakfast donuts and breathless, bellyaching laughter.

Charlie is truly unforgettable and will be dearly missed by family, countless friends and associates.

Preceded in death by mother Minnie Williams Hollis, father Edmond Curtis Hollis and his brother Ron Hollis. Survived by wife Terry Ingram Hollis, son Chas Hollis, daughter- in-law Audrey Hollis, grandchildren Heidi and Charlie Hollis III, nieces and nephews and friends he called family.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family ask you please support your favorite charity in Charlie’s honor, paying forward his uplifting spirit to those in need. A celebration of life will be held at Blue Agave 14555 Grisby Rd. Houston, TX 77079 at 2:00PM – 5:00PM on 10/13/21.

As he used to say “Things are more like they are now than they ever have been”.