Charles Robert Racusin

Charles Robert Racusin passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Charles, better known as Charlie, was a loving husband, father, businessman, and fisherman. Charlie was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, by his parents Julius and Clara, attended the University of Texas at Austin, and was a proud member of Texas’ ZBT chapter where he made lifelong, cherished friends. In 1968, Charlie moved to Houston, Texas, where he would live the remainder of his life. By the early seventies, he became the self-proclaimed “dumb gardener” when he was approached by a struggling acquaintance with whom he entered into business. Charlie never looked back and became a leader in the landscaping and water-management industries both in Houston and nationwide. He wowed his customers with creative marketing, such as having his employees planting flowers in tuxedos, and his insistence to hold himself and his companies to the highest standard of excellence possible. A bachelor until the age of 51, he married his wife of 29 years, Estelle, who everyone agrees must have been perfect in every way, considering the significant delay in his first and only marriage. Together they have a son, Ben, who has been ever-present in his life, and who he loved very much. As a family, they were known for their passion for traveling. Charlie was able to create one-of-a-kind vacations, often spending months planning every detail, at the expense and agony of the American Express travel department. His greatest joy was witnessing how his effort and preparation were able to create beautiful moments and memories with his family. He was preceded in death by his father Julius, mother Clara, sister Shirley, and brother-in-law and best friend, Tom Roosth. He is survived by his wife, Estelle, and son, Ben. The family wishes to acknowledge his devoted doctors, caregivers, friends and family who provided their support over the past 12 months. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 2:00 pm in the Sophia & Jack Bender Memorial Chapel at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak, 7445 Awty School Lane, Houston, Texas 77055. A livestream of the service will be available to view at the following link: https://venue.streamspot.com/f8d04b5b In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Dr. Michael J. Wallace Memorial Fund at The University of Texas at M.D. Anderson (https://gifts.mdanderson.org/), The Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://dogood.t2t.org/give/), or the charity of your choice.

Charles Robert Racusin

April 24, 1946 - September 12, 2026