Charles Raymond Wehring, Jr. October 8, 1954 – April 6, 2026

Charles Raymond Wehring, Jr., known early on as Chuck and to the children and families of Texas Children's Hospital simply as Charles, was born on October 8, 1954, in Houston, Texas — a city he would spend his life serving and loving. He was dedicated and passionate: a healer by profession, an artist by degree, and a son of the Gulf Coast by soul.

Charles came of age in Houston, attending HISD schools and graduating from Lamar High School on Westheimer Road, an institution with a storied place in the fabric of the city. He carried with him the curiosity and independence of spirit that would define his adult life. He loved learning and spent many of years studying at the University of Houston while working a variety of jobs, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from UH in 2000. Charles continued to paint after graduation and stayed intellectually and artistically curious: he was a skilled guitarist, a walking encyclopedia of rock music lyrics, and a devoted reader with deep interest in political history, philosophy, and poetry. He loved nothing more than to engage a friend or acquaintance in a deep conversation on just about any topic.

But it was at Texas Children's Hospital where Charles gave the largest portion of himself. For more than 30 years, he worked as a respiratory therapist and family educator, helping children breathe and helping parents cope with some very frightening moments. He collaborated with colleagues to develop formal protocols for alternative airway clearance techniques, contributing meaningfully to the science and practice of pediatric respiratory care. His role as a family educator reflected the Texas Children's commitment to family-centered care — viewing parents as partners rather than bystanders. Charles embodied that philosophy. Watching a family successfully complete their respiratory therapy training and head home was the kind of moment he lived for — one family at a time, one breath at a time.

When Charles wasn't at the hospital, he was drawn to the water. He found peace and connection along the Texas coast — teaching his daughters to surf the Gulf swells, fishing the flats around Galveston and Surfside, and breathing in the salt air that the rest of the world tends to overlook. He understood that the coast is not just a place but a state of mind.

Charles was predeceased by his ex-wife Constance Adams, to whom he was married for 12 years – a marriage that he considered to be one of the high points of his life. He is survived by his daughter, Valerie Constance (Val) Wehring and stepdaughter Chiara-Mathilde Adams; his brothers Daniel Wehring andKenneth Wehring and Ken’s wife Paula, half-sister Dana Bryant; and six nieces and nephews: Renee, Andrew, Matthew, and Madison Wehring, and Ashley and Samual Bryant.

Charles Wehring spent his career teaching families how to care for the most vulnerable people in their lives. In doing so, he demonstrated, over a lifetime, exactly what it means to be that person for someone else.

Family and friends will gather to remember Charles at 6:30 pm on June 13th at the Live Oak Friends Meeting House, 1318 West 26th Street in Houston. All who knew Charles are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the ACLU of Texas, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, or the charity of your choice.