Charles Stedman Nobles, Colonel U.S. Army  (Ret)

September 18, 1937 – November 2, 2025

Charles "Butch" Nobles, Colonel U.S. Army (Ret), passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on September 18, 1937, in Buffalo, New York, to the late Lawrence E. and Mildred E. Nobles.

Inurnment: 3:00 p.m., Monday, January 5, 2026, Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Tunnel to Towers(https://t2t.org/) or the Alzheimer's Association(http://www.alz.org).

Butch grew up as an "Army Brat," living in Texas, Virginia, and Japan. After graduating from high school in San Antonio, Texas, he received an appointment from former Speaker Sam Rayburn to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1960. He later received his master's degree in civil engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

His military career began with the completion of Ranger and Airborne Schools, followed by the Artillery and Missile Basic Course, Infantry Advanced Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. He was a dedicated and decorated military officer, serving more than 29 years in the United States Army. His career as a field artillery officer included command assignments from Battery to Division Artillery and staff positions ranging from the battery level to the Pentagon.

His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, the Senior Parachutist Badge, the Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

In 1953, Butch met the love of his life, Helga Griffin, in Tokyo, Japan, where both of their fathers were stationed. They married in December 1960, beginning a life together that led them to assignments in Italy, Vietnam, Korea, and more than thirteen locations across the United States. Along the way, they were blessed with their three children: Lawrence, Cynthia, and Deanna.

Butch had a lifelong love of sports, with a special passion for Army football and the Washington Redskins. In retirement, he enjoyed many happy years on the golf course and discovered a deep appreciation for ocean and river cruises. Above all, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, treasuring every moment spent with family and friends. He lived a life marked by steadfast loyalty to God, country, and family.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Helga; his son, Lawrence Nobles (Marty); his daughter, Cynthia Burleson (Bill); his daughter, Deanna Stack (Bob); and five grandchildren: Allyson Nobles, Matthew Burleson, Elisabeth Liggett (Sean), Robert Stack (Reema), and Courtney Ploch (Colton); and numerous cousins in New York and Virginia.

The Nobles family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the many acts of kindness and sympathy from family and friends, as well as for the loving care he received from the Memory Care staff at The Vantage and St. Gabriel's Hospice.