By Mary Alys Cherry
Charlie Whynot, a congenial man who helped shape the face of the Clear Lake area and was lovingly known as “Mr. Clear Lake” died July 27. He was 88.
The Beaumont native and World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge was instrumental in developing Nassau Bay and Clear Lake City into thriving communities; plus many area properties.
He founded Space City Realtors in Clear Lake after he and his wife, Billie, and five children moved to Clear Lake from Beaumont, where they owned a successful furniture business. It was his love of the space program that led him to move here and one of his most thrilling moments was witnessing the launch of Apollo 11. Later, he founded Allied Commercial Investments, which he still served as president at the time of his death.
Well known Bay Area lawyer Ron Krist offers a look back at his long-time friend.
“Charles Whynot was a man of his word,” Krist said. “He was a very good business man and a loyal friend.”
They both came to Clear Lake about the same time. “When I first moved to the Clear Lake area, I had three preschool age children and very little money. I had an embarrassing office located in the strip center on the corner of NASA Road 1 and El Camino Real. Charlie’s real estate office was located in the same center (where Frenchies is currently located).
“Charlie had a copy machine, whereas I could not afford one. I made my first of many deals with Charlie, whereby he allowed me to use his machine at so much per page — I can’t remember the exact amount but I believe it was 1 cent per page. This was the beginning of a long friendship.
“I bought several pieces of real estate from Charlie, including the lot on which the Krist Samaritan Center is currently located. We jointly invested in other undertakings, including the purchase of a local bank. I bought two houses from him, as well.”
Charlie, he added, “will be missed by many and forgotten by very few.”
He was a charter member of Space Center Rotary and helped organize what is today the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Billie; and two daughters, Susie Overton and Connie Whynot; and survived by his daughter, Deanie Whynot; sons Stephen Whynot and Mike Whynot and his wife, Teri; daughter-in-law, Kimberly Whynot; and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Bay Area Baptist Church in League City with burial at Forest Park East Cemetery.
