Funeral services for Charles Lester “Kitten” Murray III, 74, of Lake Jackson, Texas, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 16, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 100 Oak Drive South, Lake Jackson, Texas, with Father Dwight Canizares officiating. Committal will immediately follow at Restwood Memorial Park, 1038 West Plantation Drive, Clute, Texas. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, followed by a rosary at 6:30 p.m.

Charles passed away on October 7, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with heart disease and the effects of multiple strokes. Born in Freeport and raised in Lake Jackson, Texas, he was the son of Charles Lester “Cat” Murray Jr. and Heloise Rodriguez Murray. He attended St. Mary Star of the Sea Parochial School until it closed and graduated from Brazosport High School in 1970. He continued his education at Southwest Texas State University, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, and later attended Texas Tech University.

Charles and his family were members of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Freeport, Texas, until St. Michael’s Catholic Church opened in Lake Jackson. Known throughout his life as “Kitten,” Charles received the affectionate nickname as a child because he shared his father’s name. It remained with him throughout his life and was used fondly by family and friends.

Kitten was blessed with many talents and pursued a variety of careers during his lifetime, including safety inspector, business owner, high school teacher, swim coach, and prison educator. He was a gifted athlete, an avid outdoorsman, and an expert marksman who found great enjoyment in bow hunting, fishing, water sports and spending time in nature.

Kitten is survived by his brother, Paul Murray( Dena Pate); his sisters, Molly Murray, Anita Murray, Mary Murray Rawls, and Gina Murray; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, relatives, and friends.

Kitten was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Lester Murray Jr. and Heloise Rodriguez Murray, his nephew, Charles Chase Murray and his great niece Giavea Faith Murray.

Kitten will be remembered for his love of family and friends, dedication to teaching and helping others, and his unwavering determination in the face of life's challenges.