Charles Raymond Sarchet, 89, former owner and publisher of the Briscoe County News from 1959 to 2011 (with his wife, the late Mary Ann Sarchet), passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., in the Kornerstone Funeral Directors Chapel. Burial followed at Rose Hill Cemetery under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia.
A visitation was held on Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., May 17, 2024 at the funeral home.
Charles Sarchet was born on July 7, 1934, at Red Hill in Swisher County as the seventh of eight children to Harold Frederick and Mollie Imogene Simmons Sarchet. He graduated from Tulia High School in 1953 and was a fouryear letter winner in the “T Club.” Upon graduation he began working for the Tulia Herald, and he also joined the Texas National Guard. He served for six years in the 142nd and 36th Infantry Division, Company G based out of Tulia.
On June 24, 1955 Charles married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Hill, and on April 1, 1959 they purchased the Briscoe County News and moved to Silverton. For the next 52 years Charles dedicated his life to chronicling and delivering the news for Briscoe County along with Mary Ann. He was the newspaper’s primary publisher and photographer and could be regularly found at all Silverton sporting events for over a half century, most usually standing on the sidelines with his camera capturing the action. He also served as president of the Panhandle Press Association for a time.
Outside of work Charles was dedicated to the service and betterment of the Silverton community. He along with others founded the Silverton EMT, and he served as president in its infancy. He also served as mayor of Silverton for two years, but admittedly did not enjoy public speaking, so he transitioned to serving on the city council for many years. Charles was a proud member of the Silverton Volunteer Fire Department for over 43 years and was recognized as Fireman of the Year prior to his retirement in 2015.
Charles loved spending time with his family, whether that be family reunions at Possum Kingdom Lake, Lake Mackenzie weekend getaways in their travel trailers, or any activities with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Charles will be forever remembered for his selflessness, and his unfailing desire to quietly serve others.
He is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Thomas, Harold, Robert and Donald; two sisters, Edith Cruce and Elizabeth Sue Skelton; and his wife Mary Ann Sarchet. He is survived by his son, Ken Sarchet, and wife Sandy of Universal City; two grandsons, Brandon Sarchet and wife Meredith of Bentonville, Arkansas; Jordan Sarchet and wife Amanda of Denton; one granddaughter, Molly Dunlap and husband Travis of Garden Ridge; six greatgrandchildren; brother Jerry Sarchet and wife Elta of Lubbock; and brother-inlaw Jim Hill and wife Emily of Tulia.
The family requests memorials be made to the Silverton Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 250, Silverton, TX 79257.
Online condolences can be made at www.kornerstonefunerals.com
SARCHETSCAMETOSTAY “Charles has worked on theTulia Herald staff for a number of years and comes to the Briscoe County News well qualified to carry on the traditions established by the News,” read the top story in this newspaper for April 2, 1959. With his wife he published the newspaper until their retirement in 2010. Soon thereafter new owner Sally Arnold Threet repackaged the weekly—combining it with Motley County coverage—as The Caprock Courier. It was sold to newspaper publishers Kay Ellington and Barbara Brannon in 2020. | CAPROCK COURIER ARCHIVES per’s