Albert Charanza, Sr.

Albert John Charanza Sr., age 89, of West, passed away Wednesday morning, June 25, 2025 at his residence.

A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, with Rev. Ed Karasek as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Albert was born on June 14, 1936, in Deanville, Texas, the beloved son of John and Francis (Mader) Charanza. He attended schools in Lovelady and Crockett and proudly served his country in the United States Army and Army Reserves from 1959 to 1965, attaining the rank of Specialist 4th Class. On June 21, 1958, he united in marriage to Henrietta Sykora in Abbott, with whom he shared a life filled with love and devotion. Faith was extremely important to Albert from the time he was an altar server in his youth and later in life he was a lecture, usher and helped support the priests in many roles of the church in all the parishes he attended. Albert was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West and actively participated in the KJT Society #31, where he served as financial secretary and a dedicated delegate at numerous conventions. His compassion and commitment were also evident in his years of volunteering at Westfest, where he took pride in serving others during the annual Labor Day weekend celebration. For over 37 years, Albert was a respected Manufacturing Team Leader at General Motors in Arlington. In the 1970's, he was one of the first entrepreneurs to start his own lawn mowing business and continued it even after his retirement in 1992. Albert's passions were diverse. He cherished fishing trips, especially his annual journeys to Branson each November for trout fishing. He had a knack for restoring and working on cars, and he loved to dance and listen to polka music. Above all, his greatest joy came from spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who were the center of his world.

Albert is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Edward Charanza. 

Survivors include his beloved wife of 67 years, Henrietta Charanza of West; his children, Henrietta Kolar and husband Alfons of Wharton, Marietta Chapple and husband Darris of Giddings, Albert Charanza and wife Ellen of Weatherford, and Robert Charanza of Round Rock; his grandchildren, Michael Chapple, Ann Chapple, Emily Charanza, Shelby Charanza, Victoria Bearden and husband Kirk, and Michaela Stovall and husband Ben; step granddaughters, Elizabeth Gaylord and husband Rob, and Katherine Armstrong and husband Tony; his great grandchildren which he was blessed, Henderson, William, Charlie, Hudson, and Holland; and many other relatives and friends. 

Active pallbearers are Bill Lenart, Raymond Lenart, Franklin Karasek, Steven Charanza, Michael Chapple, and Jody Adamek. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Nors, Mike Kraemer, and past and present members and directors of KJT Society #31 in West. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Cemetery Association.

You are invited to share your thoughts and memories of Albert in our memorial guest book found at www.aderholdfh.com.