Charles Huett January 16, 1950 - June 14, 2024

Charles Frederick Huett, 74, of Nixa, Missouri, a proud veteran of the United States Navy, passed away on Flag Day, June 14, 2024. Charlie was born January 16, 1950 in Temple, Texas, the son of Joe Lee Huett and Doris (Bush) Huett. Charlie spent the majority of his childhood in Ellington, Missouri, but cherished the years he spent in Germany and Japan because of his father‘s army deployment.

After high school, Charlie enlisted in the United States Navy. He valued his time in the military and was especially proud to serve his country in Vietnam where the Navy recognized his honorable service with the National Defense Service medal, the First Good Conduct medal, the Vietnam Campaign medal, and the Vietnam Service medal.

Charlie saw action in Vietnam because of his selflessness. A good friend, an avionics airman, received unexpected orders for Vietnam, which upset his wife, who had just had a baby. Charlie took his friend to the base commander and offered to trade orders. Ultimately, Charlie went to Vietnam in his friend’s place. When his tour ended, his commander requested an 18-month extension to avoid sending someone else. Charlie willingly agreed. When he returned from Vietnam, the military had soldiers wear civilian clothes and arrive after midnight due to the negative reception veterans were facing. On his final trip, Charlie, with his long hair and sleeveless denim jacket, unfortunately, fit the profile of a skyjacker and was detained. Once the airport personnel realized he was a veteran, they stopped the plane on the tarmac, drove him out with flashing lights, and escorted him onboard. A lady sitting next to him asked if he was a movie star, and Charlie just smiled.

When Charlie returned to Ellington, Missouri, he worked briefly at a lead mine with his dad. He then decided to join the Army Corps of Engineers. His aunt Ruth, who also worked there, called him into her office one day and told him to sign a document. When Charlie asked what it was, she replied, “Your college application to the School of the Ozarks.” He signed it and was accepted.

Charlie met his future wife, Shirley, at the School of the Ozarks, when he found her on campus to inform her that her date that evening had reunited with an ex-girlfriend. Charlie then took the opportunity placed before him, marking the start of their wonderful relationship. In Shirley’s senior year, Charlie proposed on the steps of the Jones Auditorium, saying he was quitting school to work so they could get married. They wed in the Student Chapel on May 22, 1977. Charlie decided to return to School of the Ozarks to complete his degree and graduated in 1979 to become a teacher.

Charlie loved teaching sixth grade, first in Blue Eye, Missouri and then Ellington, Missouri. His last six years were spent in Arlington, Texas as a school librarian. There are many stories to be told of these years but two in particular sum up Charlie’s spirit: When Charlie was teaching sixth grade at Stevens Park Elementary in Dallas, Texas, a student kept arriving late. The school officer was about to investigate, but Charlie contacted her parent first and learned it was difficult to drive her to school consistently. Charlie and Shirley then started picking her up each morning. The student later graduated high school, went to college, and invited them to her wedding.

While a librarian at Maxie Speer Elementary in Arlington, Texas, a student brought a kitten to school and asked Charlie if he could care for it until the end of the day; however, the mother did not want the cat. Charlie decided to make it the library cat. He named her Maxie Speer after the school. Maxie stayed in the library for years with Charlie, loved by students and teachers, who came in to pet her. As the “head candy detector,“ she would hear wrappers and alert Charlie to any hidden treats. When Charlie retired, Maxie retired with him. Charlie was known for solving problems proactively, often saying his teaching years were his most satisfying.

Everyone knew Charlie’s passion for the Dallas Cowboys. He and Shirley hosted epic Super Bowl parties in De Soto, Texas. Even after moving to Nixa, Missouri in 2019, the tradition continued, with friends traveling to join the legendary celebrations!

Charlie is survived by Shirley, his beautiful wife of 47 years, as well as his two sisters Sandra (Dwayne) Hackworth and Judy Hughes; and a brother Philip (Shirley) Huett. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Doris, and his brother-in-law, Larry Hughes.

Graveside military honors will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024, 10 AM, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S Southwood Rd., Springfield, Missouri.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Charlie’s honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. Arrangements under the care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark, Missouri. Online condolences may be shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com.