Saturday, April 20, 2024
For its 2022 Lion of the Year, the Gatesville Lions Club honored Charlie Wise, whose positive impact has gone far beyond Gatesville.
Wise first joined the Lions Club in 1968, giving him 54 years’ experience with the organization that strives to promote community service in whatever way benefits local residents.
Dora Dyson, who presented the award, said that Wise exemplifies the Lions Club's mission.
"Charlie had a humble childhood, being raised by a single mother who worked three jobs to support him and his two sisters," she said.
Wise dropped out of school in eighth grade to focus on work, but later decided that education was a key to help him succeed.
"At an early age, he held down several jobs,” Dyson said. “When he was on a ship in San Francisco, he was down on the deck scrubbing the floors and an ensign his age was strolling above in a nice clean suit. He said to himself, 'The only difference between him and I is an education.' That inspired him to start his never-ending journey to learn. He wrote home for his mother to send him a dictionary."
Wise took that passion for education and built on it, accomplishing his goals in a way that not only improved his own circumstances, but lifted up countless others through decades of helping them.
"Through a series of events, Charlie got his GED (General Equivalency Diploma) and ended up getting to go to Baylor University," Dyson said. "He was president of his class there and has since served as a prestigious trustee for the university. He met his wife, Mary Alice, while at Baylor."
Through the years, donations made by Wise allowed numerous students to also obtain their education, Dyson noted.
"After graduation, he worked as a salesman for Upjohn Pharmaceutical. He also taught the Dale Carnegie course and is undoubtedly the most socially skilled person most have ever known," Dyson said. "If you have ever had the privilege of working with him, you will agree that he is an outstanding encourager.
"He then moved to Gatesville and served as president and partner for Medical Plastics Laboratory. The company started with two medical doctors and a dentist in a garage. During his leadership, the company grew to a multi-million-dollar enterprise that still employs many Gatesville citizens. I have had the privilege of working with Charlie while he was leading Medical Plastics and can never thank him enough for all that he has taught me and the help he has given to Jerry and I."
Wise has said it was divine guidance that has directed his and Mary Alice’s lives.
“There's no doubt in our minds that God sent us to Gatesville, but it wasn't particularly to be in business; it was for us to get in the prison ministry," he told Baylor Magazine in 2010. "There's such a need inside the prisons, and many people don't see that's an opportunity to be a minister to those people's needs. There's a dynamic church inside the prison."
That ministry has also extended outside prisons, through the Hospitality House, which provides free lodging, food, fellowship and support for the families of those incarcerated in Gatesville. It also gives Hospitality House volunteers an opportunity to pray with those whose lives have been touched by difficulty, disruption and tragedy.
Charlie and Mary Alice’s heart for prison ministries and their involvement in reaching out to the incarcerated and their loved ones has lasted for decades. That has included years of ministering to women on death row.
Wise's local impact has included his faith, leadership and charity, Dyson noted.
"He and Mary Alice are charter members of Trinity Baptist Church and since 1976, they have helped literally thousands in the community.
"He joined the Lions Club in 1968 and has been a strong supporter of all programs since. He has brought in 13 members during his membership term. He has served in various capacities of leadership in these 54 years.
"Hearty congratulations to this very outstanding, charitable, Christian man. We are all honored to know and associate with you."
Mary Alice told Baylor Magazine that Wise’s service on the Baylor University Board of Regents from 1993-2002 is a great example of coming from humble circumstances to being able to make an impact for the benefit of others.
"That really is one of the biggest miracles," she said. "When Charlie was asked to be a Baylor Regent, we both just died laughing, because we saw how God had brought him from being a dropout. But because of that, he speaks to the prisoners and encourages them to get their GEDs. And so many, many times he's worked with Gatesville kids to encourage them to stay in school, and so God's used that in his life. You know, he uses everything, doesn't he?"
