Retired Officer Charles Ray Kuerbitz

Charles Ray Kuerbitz, 75, of Garland, Texas went home to be with his Lord on April 8, 2023, at his residence surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born in Bad Windsheim, Germany to proud mother Rosie Heindel, and was adopted by William Kuerbitz at a very young age. When he was 6 years old, Charlie and his parents moved from Germany to Bay City, Michigan where they lived for several years before making their way to Texas.

Charles went to school in Michigan, graduated from T.L. Handy High School and shortly after enlisted in the Army where he was stationed in Ft. Bliss in Texas. While in the Army he fought in Vietnam and was a Helicopter Crew Chief and Door Gunner. During his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart, Army Air Medal and 2 Overseas Bars. After his service in the Army, Charles attended Amber University and earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, directing his career to be a Police Officer with the Garland Police Department. While at the Police Department, he met and married his wife, Leslie. The two were married on October 26, 1985. During his career at GPD, he worked in Patrol, Narcotics, the Warrant division, was a Hostage Negotiator with the SWAT team and was in the Traffic Unit, where he spent most of his career. He was an officer with the Garland Police Department from 1975 to 2007 where he was awarded numerous medals and accolades for his tireless and dedicated service. He was a member at New Liberty Baptist Church where he was Baptized in Christ and later a member of Highland Country Fellowship.

Charles was active in FOP and GPOA and was known in Garland for driving his Police Car Camaro and loved showing it off in parades and different school events.

Charles enjoyed skiing, bowling, fishing, camping, ceramics, and painting. Every day he would do the New York Times Crossword Puzzles and was an avid reader.

Charles enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is preceeded in death by his parents, William and Rosie Kuerbitz, and his aunt and uncle, Ronnie and Luise Martinez. He is survived by his wife Leslie, daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer Donnelly Straach and Aaron Straach, grandchildren, London and Logan Straach, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Stephen and Conce Caplan. He is also survived by his loving pets who were with him when he passed, RosieAnne, Jazz, Ziggy Pop, and Pooh. He is survived by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, too numerous to mention.

A Memorial Donations tab has been placed at the bottom of this obituary at the family's request with donations going toward St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Scottish Rite Children's Hospital.