Charles M. Hix Jr., former dean of
College of Architecture, dead at 82

Charles M. Hix Jr., dean of Texas A&M College of Architecture and Environmental Design from 1981 to 1985, died Monday, April 20 at his College Station home. He was 82 years old.

As dean of the college, Hix is remembered as “a distinguished gentleman” and “a very effective teacher and practicing engineer,” by his successor, Donald A. Sweeney, associate professor of urban planning who served as interim dean when Hix stepped down in 1985. “His regime oversaw a period of stability and growth,” said Sweeny.

Hix was born Sept. 14, 1926, in Tyler, Texas, the son of Charles Hix, Sr., and Geneva Gilmore Hix.

He was drafted into military service in 1944, and later returned to Texas A&M were he earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1948, a M.S. in Civil Engineering in 1951 and a doctorate degree in 1970. His scholarly focus was in design theory and structural design.

On June 3, 1951, he married Nell Lynn Durham in Tyler, Texas.

As a civil engineer, he enjoyed working for the Texas Highway Department, and for several private engineering firms. He was in business for himself for a period of time, and served the engineering needs of many cities in their design and construction projects for city streets, water and sewage systems, and various buildings and structures.

In 1968, he joined the civil engineering faculty at Texas A&M to teach a variety of courses. In 1971, he was promoted to professor of civil engineering. As a result of his extensive experience in civil engineering construction and design projects, he was called upon to design and teach what is known as "Capstone" course for civil engineering seniors.

In 1981, Hix was appointed dean of the College of Architecture, a position he held through 1986 when hereturned to the Department of Civil Engineering and served as an undergraduate advisor until he retired in 1997. He was accorded the rank of Professor Emeritus on Sept. 1, 1997.

Additionally, Hix served for many years as a deacon of the First Baptist Church of Bryan, Texas. His lifelong hobby was building and flying model airplanes.

Hix was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Nell L. Hix, of College Station; three daughters, Charlotte Snowden and husband Steven, of Granbury, Karen Hester and husband Danny, of Lexington, S.C., Mary Yawn and husband Lonnie, of College Station; grandchildren, Kelly Yawn Langdon and husband Micah, Brian Yawn, Colby and Landon Yawn, Madison Yawn, Bryan Snowden, Marc Hester, Alex Hester, Nathan Hester; great-grandchildren, Jordynn Yawn and Owen Langdon; sister, Margaret Crim and husband David, of Tyler.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Bryan or to Hospice Brazos Valley

- Posted: April 23, 2009 -