Charles "C. D." DeKayter Wilkinson III

Charles DeKayter "C. D." Wilkinson III, age 84, passed away on October 17, 2025, after a short battle with cancer.

He was born on January 21, 1941 in Houston, Texas to Helen Margaret Barnum Wilkinson and Dr. Charles D. Wilkinson, Jr. C. D.'s family moved to La Porte, Texas and he graduated from La Porte High School. He attended Sam Houston State University and completed his education with a master's degree from the University of Houston. A member of the United States Army Famous Fighting 4th Infantry Division, C. D. served in Vietnam and was a proud veteran. He spent most of his adult life in Houston and retired in Rockport, Texas in 2000.

C. D. was a man who thought often about legacy. He'd frequently pass down some detritus he'd found, tweaked, and therefore insisted was now a "family heirloom" that ought to be treasured. Upon finding a life raft ring emblazoned with the moniker "Salty Dog", he promised his then wife, Gay Goodman, and their two sons that it was a message foretelling the name of their future boat. C. D. did acquire that beloved boat, and he named it accordingly. It became emblematic of the things that brought him the most joy: his family, his friends, and the ocean. With them, C. D. had many adventures sailing along the Gulf Coast Intracoastal Waterway and throughout the Caribbean, most notably the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands, including a year spent in St. Thomas.

One could not escape his many 'C. D.'-isms: you could hardly move through his home in Rockport without encountering some new project he was working on, and if you happened to stub your toe while doing so, he'd simply tell you to "put some monkey blood on it!" (Although he may have argued that the real salve to life's wounds is a big bowl of vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce.)

Take one look at his "hall of fame" and you'll see the many faces of his loved ones. C. D. is survived by his children, Andrea Sitterle and her husband, Pete; James "Lamar" Wilkinson and his wife, Kristin; and Pike Goodman Wilkinson. He was affectionately known as "Big Grandpa" to his grandchildren, Suzannah Sitterle and her husband, Jasper Martin; Peter Sitterle; Coy Dean Wilkinson; Carter Drake Wilkinson; and his great grandson, Guy Calloway Martin. He is also survived by his brother, Roger "R. B." Wilkinson; his sister, Suzanne Oliver, and her husband Roy; their children and grandchildren, Jon, Christina, Jamie, Lenzie, Hallee, Roper, Maddox, Jude, and Alexza; and many friends. He loved all whole-heartedly. He'd boast of his loved ones and their accomplishments and tease them in the same breath. And while he always had advice and teaching to impart, he also loved learning about everything and everyone around him. He will be greatly missed. Sail on, C. D.!

A private memorial will be held at a later date.

Guestbook available online at www.resthavenfunerals.com
Arrangements and care entrusted to Resthaven Funeral Home, Aransas Pass.

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