Charles Lee Hull (affectionately "Charlie" to his grandkids) died at the age of 83 peacefully on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, surrounded by family. Charles was born on November 10, 1931, in Mineral Wells, Texas to Marjory Frances Bone and Charley Lee Hull.

Charles was raised in Decatur, Texas, where his parents owned City Pharmacy on the downtown square. He graduated from Decatur High School in 1949, where he was the quarterback of the football team, a co-captain of the basketball team, and ran the mile for the track team. Charles fell in love with his wife, Molly Sue Davenport, at a high school dance. She left that dance with his letter jacket. Molly and Charles married two years later on April 10, 1950.

Charles earned his Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Texas at Austin in 1954. He began his pharmacy career with Skillern's Drug Store in Dallas, where he once bravely jumped on the back of an armed man attempting to rob the store and held him until police arrived.

In 1960, Molly and Charles moved to Denton, where he opened a Skillern's Drug Store to anchor the newly-built Denton Center. The store later became Revco Drug and then Eckerd's. Charles retired in 1994. In his 40 years as a pharmacist, he mentored many young pharmacists. Charles loved his work and remained close with his fellow pharmacists, as well as many loyal customers, throughout his life.

After retirement, Charles accompanied Molly on numerous weekly visits to members of the First United Methodist Church of Denton who were either home or hospital-bound. Charles was a devoted member of First United Methodist for 55 years. During that time, he was very active in the Bungalow Sunday School Class, the Over the Hill Gang, and the Trippers.

Charles' greatest legacy, however, was his family. Charles is survived by his wife of 65 years, Molly Hull; children Melissa Hull Hinshaw (and husband George), Melinda Hull Bradley (and husband Joe), James Arnold Hull (and wife Cheryl), and Melanie Hull Watson (and husband Gary); granddaughters Molly Hinshaw Higgins, Madison Bradley, Blair Bradley, Emily Hull, Aubrey Hull, Megan Watson Boyden, and Kelly Watson; sister Helen Hull Kearby (and husband Mason); and many nieces and nephews.

Charles is preceded in death by parents Marjory Frances Bone and Charley Lee Hull and his brother, James Bone Hull, who died at 17, his senior year in high school.

Charles was a kind, compassionate man, viewed by many as a surrogate father or grandfather. He loved children, and they loved him in return. Charles was an ideal father who loved to play with water pistols and rubber dart guns. He was a master architect of Lincoln Log villages and riverboat rafts made of tables and quilts. He was an enthusiastic playmate who never lost his childhood sense of fun. He will be remembered by family and friends for his mischievous sense of humor, his love of reading, puzzles, and games, and his avid support for the Texas Longhorns.

The family will receive friends for visitation at DeBerry Funeral Directors on Monday, July 13, 2015, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Services will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Denton. Charles will be laid to rest in Decatur by his family prior to the service.

Honorary pallbearers will be longtime pharmacist friends and former co-workers Tom Faught, Doyle DeMoss, Bob Benton, Alton Trull, and James Garner.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Autumn Leaves Memory Care Residence of Denton, where Charles was welcomed and treated with love, respect, and patience during the final two months of his life. They became like family during a very difficult time.

If desired, donations may be made in Charles' name to First United Methodist Church of Denton or the Alzheimer's Association.