Dr. Charles Merrill Younger

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Dr. Charles Merrill Younger, a cherished lifelong community member of Midland, TX, was called home to heaven on August 3rd, 2026, having lived every one of his 84 years to the fullest. Dr. Younger, better known to his friends and family as Charlie, Doc, Fingers, GP, Big Poppa, or Cool Papa C, was a compassionate, humble, and caring servant who made it his life’s work to put the needs of others ahead of his own.

Born on October 20, 1941, in Beaumont, Texas, Charlie was the youngest son of John Frank Younger and Charlene Smith Younger. He attended Southern Methodist University from 1960 to 1964 before earning his medical degree from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1968, launching a career as an orthopedic surgeon that would span four decades of service to the Midland community.   Charlie possessed an uncanny ability for remembering the names and injuries of everyone he treated, which often led to his children sighing impatiently as he took time to greet and chat with his numerous former patients whenever out in public.

Charlie’s dedication to his work made him a fixture in the greater medical community and a trusted, highly regarded name in orthopedic care across West Texas. He served as President of the Texas Orthopaedic Association (1996–1997) and was a longtime member of the Texas Medical Association.

He later served as a Trustee, and eventually as President, of the Abell-Hanger Foundation, one of Midland’s most prominent philanthropic institutions, and was recognized as a Trustee Emeritus of the Foundation. He also served on the Board of Visitors at the United States Military Academy at West Point (2002-2010), appointed by President George W. Bush.

Generous with both his time and his medical skills, Charlie devoted countless volunteer hours to the Boy Scouts of America, the Midland Children’s Rehabilitation Center, and multiple surgical missions with Mercy Ships.  On Sunday mornings, he could reliably be found enthusiastically directing traffic in the parking lot at Stonegate Fellowship, where he worshiped with his community of faith. He also enjoyed serving the church’s youth at summer camp, co-led an after-school children’s Bible study program, and attended Wednesday morning men’s Bible study without fail for years.

Charlie lived a dedicated life of service and humility as his “brother’s keeper,” shaped by his deep and abiding faith in God. He was a man who cherished his family and friends, and he loved his country.  As a faith-filled follower of Jesus Christ, Charlie had an innate heart for simple acts of kindness.  He would anonymously pay for the meals of any servicemen in uniform dining at a nearby table or render aid without a moment’s hesitation to a stranded driver.  Even on his last earthly day, his indomitable spirit of care echoed in some of his last words for his grieving family– “What can I do to help you?”

An avid sportsman, he found joy in fishing and hunting trips first with his father and brother, and later with his kids and The Goat Mobile Gang (we won’t mention the time he accidentally shot himself in the foot).  Charlie cherished skiing in Colorado, but what he loved just as much were the road trips getting there, where he and Don Evans spent the miles chatting over walkie-talkies. He never met a ski slope he did not enjoy, and when summer arrived, he found just as much happiness kayaking the waters of Junction, Texas, with his family.

Charlie treasured the people, places, and traditions he loved most: jogging with George and Don as one of the “Galloping Gazelles,” Saturdays watching sports at Semple’s Garage, Monday night dinners with the family, and Friday night outings with friends playfully arguing over who would pick up the check– and occasionally one could find him cutting it up on the dance floor on a Saturday night, singing “Alligator Man” into the microphone while the band was on a break. He was a lifelong runner, a spirited practical joker, a doting owner of his beloved chihuahuas, and — win or lose — always claimed victory at the card table.

Charlie is survived by his loving wife, Frances Younger; his daughter, Meredith Younger, and his grandchild Rowan McColl; his daughter, Katie Younger, and her husband, Narvik Lakshman; and Diana Younger, the mother of his children. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Brandi Younger, and her children, Claire, Lexi, and Will.

Charlie was a beloved “step-in” father to Frances’s children, whom he loved as his own: Ben Edwards and his wife, Bridgette Edwards, and their children, Brayden, Brooklyn, Brynlee, and Bailey; Emily Medanich and her husband, Mike Medanich; and Leah Watkins and her husband, Brett Watkins, and their children, Caleb, Kayla, Autumn, Natalie, and Robert. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Birdie, daughter of Autumn, and Elizabeth, daughter of Natalie.

The family is also deeply grateful to his devoted caregivers, Monica Machuca and Leslie Rodriguez, for the many pancakes, head massages, haircuts, and sweet pamperings they gave Charlie in his final years.

After enduring several health challenges over the years, he passed away peacefully, having given his family the precious gift of far more time together than anyone ever expected. The family wants to thank his friends, caretakers, doctors, and those who prayed for the extra years we had with him.

Charlie is greeted in heaven with wide-open arms by his parents, John and Charlene Younger; his son, Tom Younger; his brother, John Younger Jr.; and his favorite family member, his beloved chihuahua Callie Girl.

The family will receive guests from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the Branch at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 10, 2026, at Stonegate Fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Charlie’s honor to the Charles M. Younger, M.D. Endowment Fund, Midland Memorial Foundation, 400 Rosalind Redfern Grover Parkway, Midland, TX 79701 https://www.midlandhealth.org/main/giving-online ; Midland Children’s Rehabilitation Center, 802 Ventura Ave., Midland, TX 79705 https://www.midlandchildrens.org/how-to-support-mcrc  ; Stonegate Fellowship Youth Camp, 6000 W. Wadley Ave., Midland, TX 79707 https://www.stonegatefellowship.com/give ; or Mighty Oaks Foundation, 478 McCaleb Rd., Montgomery, TX 77316 https://www.mightyoaksprograms.org/donate/

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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