Roll Call Tribute

Charles W. Ligon
June 12, 1935 - June 14, 2022

Charles Walker Ligon, AIA, died peacefully in his home in Houston on Tuesday, the 14th of June 2022, after an extended illness. He was 87 years of age.

Charles (“Charlie” to many) was a successful residential architect in Houston for over 50 years and worked on designing and restoring many of Houston’s most beautiful historic homes. He will be missed by his family and friends who knew him as a kind, respectful, and funny man who was very much looking forward to being reunited with his “sweetheart,” Mossy, in his death. Charlie was a self-proclaimed “fruit hound” and could not get enough fresh fruit, second only to his love of ice cream (specifically Blue Bell’s Peppermint)!

Charlie was born on his family ranch in Comanche, Texas and attended school throughout his childhood there. He then moved to attend Texas A&M in College Station, Texas where he served with honor in The Corps of Cadets and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1964. He also served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany for two years. After completing his degree and internships in architecture, he opened his own practice, Charles W. Ligon AIA Architects, Inc. in Houston in 1970.

Charles was proud to have designed over 500 custom homes across several states. His firm won a “Good Brick Award” in 2011 from the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance for an extensive renovation and restoration of a 1920’s English Manor House that is listed on The National Register of Historic Places. Charlie was also exceptionally proud of restoring a century-old train depot in his hometown of Comanche, which was then designated on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018 and now serves at the town’s Chamber of Commerce. Charles mentored several other architects who have gone on to become successful in their own right. However, he worked most closely in recent years with Ms. Mayra Guardiola who also became like another family member. Their exceptional work was featured prominently in numerous journals, magazines, and books.

Charlie was an active member of the Christ Church Cathedral in Houston for many years and was passionate about service to others. Charlie was also proud of volunteering alongside his wife in the early 1990’s with Omega House (later Bering Omega Community Services), the first residential hospice in Texas for people dying of AIDS. More recently, he loved to volunteer with The Beacon and Lord of the Streets programs through the Cathedral.

Some of Charles’ favorite memories were of sailing with his sister and her husband around South America. In recent years, Charlie very much enjoyed traveling with his friends from his church to Ireland, England, and Scotland as well as Prague and Germany. He also loved going to Colorado with some of his close friends.

Charles is preceded in death by his treasured wife, Mrs. Clemence “Mossy” Pollok Ligon; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed and Ruth Ligon; his siblings, Mrs. Virginia Ligon Peters, Mrs. Mary Ligon Lockhart, and Mr. Ross Ligon; as well as his beloved parents-in-law, Mr. Lewis W. Pollok, Jr. and Mrs. Clemence “Titter” Tacquard Pollok.

He is survived by his daughters and their spouses, Mrs. Clemence Louise Ligon Zipps and Mr. Dennis Zipps, Ms. Nancy Katharine Pollok Ligon and Dr. Megan Mooney; as well as his furry grandchildren, Casey, Clover, and Sam. Charlie was also survived by relatives, Mrs. Patsy K. Ligon, Mrs. Brenda Ligon Logan, Mrs. Karolyn Ligon Chavez, Mrs. Mary Ann Peters Adelman, Mr. Tommy Peters; Mrs. Nancy Pollok Guinee; Mr. Lewis W. Pollok, III and Mrs. Suzy Pollok; Ms. Clemence Martha “Mimi” Pollok and Mr. Lewis “Spike” Pollok, IV.

Charlie was fortunate to be cared for in his final days by Ms. Ruby Johnson, Ms. Monique Turner, Ms. Comfort Adwabour and the wonderful staff of The Village of the Heights, especially Mr. Darrell Pittman, Ms. Nichelle Alexander, Ms. Sharon Jones, Ms. Latarsha Thames, Ms. Shuree Cornelious, Ms. Marqueta “Saba” Ford, Ms. Rosie Ferguson, Ms. Shnequa Smith, and Ms. Rosalyn Morris.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 21st of June, in the Jasek Chapel and Republic Wine Room of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service and celebration of his life is to be conducted at twelve o'clock noon on Wednesday, the 22nd of June, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent Republic Wine Room.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery.

Serving as honorary pallbearers during the services are Ms. Mayra Guardiola, Mr. Dennis Zipps, Mr. Bob Musemeche, Mr. Brad Hollenbeck, Mr. John Drye, and Mr. Jack Heald.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Charles’ honor be directed to one of the numerous wonderful charities at Christ Church Cathedral of Houston. https://www.christchurchcathedral.org/partners-affiliates/ or

https://www.christchurchcathedral.org/give/.