Floyd B. "Chuck" Inks, Jr., age 86, passed away peacefully, with dignity and grace, at his home on November 29, 2011 after a long illness.
Chuck was born in Austin on March 12, 1925, to Floyd B. Inks, Sr. and Marie Sterzing Inks. He attended Palm Elementary School and graduated from Austin High School in 1942. Chuck was a manager of the only Austin High State Champion football team, and active with the Red Dragon's theater group. After graduation, with WWII in progress, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a radioman from 1943 to 1946, receiving an honorable discharge. After his service, Chuck attended the University of Texas, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. Just short of a degree in Electrical Engineering, he changed and graduated in 1951 with a bachelor of science in petroleum engineering. During college, he met his surviving wife of 61 years, Mickie Jean Riley on Friday the 13th, on blind date to a party at the Zilker Boy Scout Hut. In that memory, they celebrated their 50th anniversary at the same place, now Zilker Club House.
After graduation from UT, Chuck worked for Gulf Oil in exploration and production (Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi) and retired overseas as vice president of drilling (Nigeria) at age 44. Bored with retirement, he returned to work as oil executive with Barnhart Oil (stateside), then Roy M. Huffington, Inc. (Indonesia, South East Asia). He then served as a petroleum advisor for the Ceylon Petroleum Corp. of Sri Lanka, and in executive positions with Occidental Petroleum (Libya, Bolivia, and Peru). He was a part of the discovery of several major oil fields and the implementation of a multitude of technological advances and professional achievements in his 35 year oil industry career. He retired to Austin in 1984 to be near his children and grandchildren, and to manage real estate investments.
Chuck received his Amateur Radio License, W5KNA, prior to WWII and was an active operator his entire life. He was a life member of the American Radio Relay League and held licenses in each of the countries that he lived during his career; 5N2ABF (Nigeria), YB0ABB (Indonesia), 4S7FB (Sri Lanka), W5KNA/CP6 Bolivia, and OA4AT Peru. He was an active volunteer in emergency communication with the Austin Emergency Operations Center, SkyWarn; NOAA emergency weather spotter, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), State of Texas Radio Amateur Emergency Service (RACES), and Military Amateur Radio System (MARS), passing emergency health and welfare traffic during dozens of natural disasters and storms. Chuck was a member of the Austin Amateur Radio Club and the Austin Repeater Organization until recent years. He also served as a volunteer and board member for St. David's Next to New shop for many years. He was a man of many talents in addition to his career and hobbies. He quietly helped many people along the way.
Survivors include his wife, Mickie Riley Inks; three children: Robert M. (Bob/Cotton) Inks and wife, Mary of Lockhart, TX; Floyd B. (Boo) Inks, III and wife, Georgene of Ruidoso, NM; Jeanna Inks Black and husband , Bruce of Austin, TX. Grandchildren: Robin Inks, Riley Inks, Aaron Smith, Thomas Inks, and Adam Bartling. Sister-in-laws: Margaret Hooks and Sarah and husband Bill, Bryce. Nephews: Gary and wife Linda, Parsons, Douglas and wife Grace, Bryce, Larry and wife Jackie, Parsons, and David and wife Lynn, Bryce. He also leaves behind many loved life-long friends.
Graveside services will be held at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Chuck's honor to the Salvation Army or the charity of your choice.
Family History:
Chuck was proud of his Austin and Texas heritage. His parents were Floyd Beverly Inks, Sr. and Marie Sterzing Inks.
Floyd, Sr., Chuck's father, was a Texas Ranger and chief of security at the Texas State Capitol. Floyd Sr. later worked as an accountant and retired as comptroller of the Austin State Hospital in 1950 after many years of state service. Floyd, Sr. was born in Burnet County where he grew up in a large family, including his little brother, Roy, who was mayor of Llano during the development of the Highland Lakes and first Chairman of the Board of the LCRA. Inks Lake was named for his Uncle Roy.
One of Floyd, Sr.'s many accomplishments was hiring his niece's farm boy boyfriend and his best friend, who were attending the University of Texas Law School as legislative aides at the Capitol. This niece, Chuck's cousin, Idanell Brill married John B. Connally in 1940. John and his friend, JJ "Jake" Pickle, were active in Texas politics and went on to buy KVET together after returning from military service in WWII. Chuck's Aunt Clara Sterzing worked for Sam Rayburn (24 terms – Speaker of the House of Representatives) as executive assistant for 38 years in Washington D.C. and introduced John to Lyndon Johnson (then a legislative aide for Sam Rayburn). John Connally later introduced Lyndon to JJ "Jake" Pickle who adopted LBJ as his political mentor. All pursued active political careers.
Chuck's mother was Marie Sterzing. Her parents, Fred A. And Agnes Pressler Sterzing, were pioneer Austin residents. Fred Sterzing was a member of the Austin City Council, and was the City of Austin Tax Assessor and Collector for 54 yrs. He was one of the defenders of the State Treasury during the 1865 robbery.
Marie's paternal grandparents were Theodore and Helene Sterzing, original settlers of New Braunfels in 1845. Maternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pressler who came to Texas from Germany in 1842. Charles Pressler was a surveyor and cartographer who prepared and published a number of the earliest maps of Texas, including his 1858 map, which is recognized as the first accurate map of the State of Texas.
Graveside services for family and friends will be on Sat., Dec. 17th, 1pm at Oakwood Cemetery.