Former public works director dies





Carl Castell worked in maintenance for the Port Aransas Independent School District and later was operations director with the City of Port Aransas. Castell died on Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Carl Castell worked in maintenance for the Port Aransas Independent School District and later was operations director with the City of Port Aransas. Castell died on Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Carl Castell, a former director of public works with the City of Port Aransas, has died.

Castell, of Yoakum, died on Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, Aug. 9, at Thiele Cooper Funeral Home in Yoakum. Burial was at Pilot Grove Cemetery, near Yoakum.

Born in Victoria County, Castell grew up in Terryville. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Castell and his wife, Rebecca, moved to Port Aransas in 1964. Some of his first employment meant moving earth with heavy machinery during construction of Mustang Beach Airport, Rebecca said.

Castell was a maintenance worker with the Port Aransas Independent School District in the 1960s and ‘70s. He also was involved in the propane business.

He was the city’s operations director (the position now is called public works director) from 1984 until 1995, when he retired, according to City Secretary Irma Parker. He was named the city’s employee of the year in 1990, Parker said.

Castell was a member of the Lion’s Club and an elder with Community Presbyterian Church during his time in Port Aransas.

His wife was the Port Aransas postmaster from 1977 to 2000.

In addition to his wife, Castell is survived by a daughter, Marlene Castell Urban (Jim) of Port Aransas; and a son, Carl Raymond Castell Jr. of Terryville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Phyllis Cacioppo Castell; three sisters, Mary Castell, Rose Murphy and Frances Castell; and three brothers, Louis, Bill and Francis Castell.


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