Mr. Charles Russell Steele, age 46, of McKinney, Texas passed away June 6, 2006 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is survived by his wife Debbie; son Chris and wife Ashley of Florida; grandson Riley Steele of Florida; daughter Niki Steele of McKinney, TX; son Corey of Ft. Benning, GA; parents Kyle and Phyllis Steele of California; brother Greg and wife Marjorie of Iowa; sister Kyla Hall of California; brother Timothy and wife Andrea of California; and numerous nieces and nephews. On September 5, 1959, a precious bundle of joy was born to Kyle and Phyllis Steele in Spokane Washington. It was noted early that he was the peacemaker in the family. His quick wit and humor defused even the toughest sibling turmoil. There were two things that Charley loved most, family and church. Well, make that three, he loved his work in technology. Charley’s parents were never far from his mind as he showed by the many calls and constant e-mailing. He was a devoted son. Charley was a loving and nurturing husband and father. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his family. He was a hands-on, affectionate father whose children knew that he could be approached about anything and whose grown children still called him “Daddy.” As a husband, Charley always made Debbie feel that she was his everything. Anything that she needed or wanted was his pleasure to provide for her. Charley was so talented in many different areas. He was the most versatile person that Debbie has ever known. He had uncanny ability to draw anything. He once mentioned that it sometimes felt that his inspiration came from God. His drawing of the Challenger being lifted up by the hands of God was one such drawing. Music was important to Charley. He was able to play music by ear. He said you have to feel the music, not just hear it. Charley had a beautiful voice and would often entertain his kids with the songs he loved. Another talent Charley had was his ability to envision great beauty and bring it to life. Debbie said she wanted a waterfall and Charley built it. He wasn’t a carpenter or a plumber or even a mason, but that never stopped him from trying and succeeding. Charley created not just a waterfall, but a beautiful Japanese water garden, an influence of his worldly travels and living experiences in the foreign countries of Singapore, Japan and Okinawa. Charley was very versatile, starting out his adult life as an Air Force lineman and ending up an international businessman for a company he loved, EDS. He was as comfortable manually digging the 4½ foot deep hole for his pond as he was talking business with international corporate executives. Charley was passionate about politics and never passed up a chance to use his quick wit to debate it with anyone, especially his Dad. Charley was many things and everything to his wife Debbie and children, Chris, Niki and Corey. He was so much more than a son, brother or friend. No words could possibly convey the many ways that he will be missed. We can only count our blessings that we were the ones that God chose to share his talented, generous and most loving son with. Funeral services will be held 10:00 am, Monday, June 12, 2006 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in McKinney, TX with Father Kelly officiating. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park. A Rosary Service will take place at the Church on Sunday at 8:00 PM.