Charles Basham

Charles Oliver Basham, 70, of La Vernia, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006 at his residence. Charles Oliver was born June 22, 1936 to Charles T. and Wilda Hensley Basham. He was baptized during his church?s revival at age 13. He attended Stephenville High School and Draughn?s Business School in Fort Worth. He was a Dallas policeman early in his adult life and later became a helicopter pilot in the army. During the Viet Nam conflict he trained new pilots at Ft. Walters, and later joined Air America spending several years as a helicopter pilot in Viet Nam, Thailand, and Laos flying CIA support missions and downed pilot rescue missions. He loved flying and was always ready for high risk missions. Later, he worked in the commercial electronic sign business. He was preceded in death by his parents and three sons, Lewis Craig, Arlie Wayne and Charles Ricky. He is survived by two brothers, Wylie Basham and wife, Patricia of Clifton, and Gary Basham and wife, Jan of Plano; sons, Toby and wife, Janice of La Vernia, Mike and wife, Michelle of La Vernia; daughters, Renee Del Bosque of McAllen, Michelle Todd and husband, Cooter of Nocona; grandchildren, Luke Basham and wife, Natalie, Travis Basham, Hunter Basham, Kristin Basham, Cody Basham, Christopher Del Bosque, Jack Del Bosque, Kaitlyn Del Bosque, Dean Todd, Payton Todd, and Royce Todd. Memorials may be made to Charity of Choice.