Charlie Burton “Charles” Pankey, 88, of Amarillo passed away August 31, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born May 1, 1935, in Arkansas to Pearle and Irene Pankey.
A Memorial Service honoring Charle’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. September 4, 2023, at Temple Baptist Church, 3208 S. Van Buren, Amarillo, Texas.
He grew up in DeWitt Arkansas and moved to Amarillo at the age of 17. He met Virginia Sue Williams in 1960 and they were married in Amarillo September 3, 1961.
Charlie worked for the Amarillo Police Department for 15 years. He was a Patrolman, Detective, and Sergeant of the motorcycle squad during his tenure there. He began working for Pantex in 1974 and retired after 23 years of service.
He was an avid Razorback fan (Arkansas). He proudly flew his Razorback flag during the football season. He was a photographer, and an artist. His favorite activity was spending time at his cabin in Sierra Bonita, New Mexico. Charlie would visit the cabin often where he found solace and peace walking on the deck. Charlie, Sue and Chris, along with the help of friends and family built the cabin themselves. It’s still lovingly called “Charlie’s Cabin” by the new owners.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Sue; his daughter, and son-in-law, Lynette and Dr. John Maxwell, his son Christopher Alan Pankey; his grandchildren, Jennifer Hebert, and Erin Kohlbrenner and husband Patrick; four great-grandchildren, Jackson, Taylor, Jameson Hebert, and Kacey Kohlbrenner; one sister, Anita Blood; two brothers, James Pankey and wife Jodie, and Jerry Pankey and wife Linda. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, or the Leukemia Foundation.
He was my uncle and a very good man. Though I did not see him often, I am saddened they I will not see him again in this life and will miss him!