Charles Ray Diffee's Obituary
Rev. Charles R. Diffee was born on March 29, 1932 in Sherman, Texas to B.E. and Zola Vandergriff Diffee. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on December 15, 2019.Growing in a preacher’s family meant frequent moves including Waco, Corpus Christi, and Ranger and Dallas.Mr. Diffee graduated from International Bible College in San Antonio, Texas, where he met and married the love of his life, Lavina Larson. Following a brief pastorate in Dayton, Ohio he returned to Dallas in 1954, and with his father founded Metropolitan Bible Church in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. During the first several years when the church could not support a full time minister, he went to work painting and remodeling to support his growing family. He used these skills in numerous building projects for the rest of his ministry.The church moved to Pleasant Grove in 1964. Rev. Diffee led a team of volunteers to construct the sanctuary, Sunday School rooms, and a fellowship hall. He continued to lead volunteers over the years to add classrooms, a Scout Hall, and gymnasium.Rev. Diffee’s lifelong focus was on serving young people, and to that end he founded Metropolitan Christian School in 1966 and Hidden Acres Retreat Center in Kaufman County in 1984. He often remarked that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders and wanted to make sure they had solid Christian foundations.In 2003 Rev. Diffee celebrated 50 years of ministry, and at that time he retired from pastoring but continued mentoring and building for the rest of his life.He was a member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church for the past 16 years, active in a Sunday School class and serving by visiting the bereaved.During his ministry he was also active in the community. He served as president or chairman of Southeast Dallas American Cancer Society, Pleasant Grove Rotary Club, Southeast YMCA, Southern Cross District of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Pastors Association of Southeast Dallas. He also served as treasurer of the Pleasant Grove Chamber of Commerce.Rev. Diffee was a member of the Metropolitan Board of YMCA, the Executive Board of Circle 10 Council Boy Scouts of America, the Board of Directors of Crossroad Community Center of Dallas, the Neighborhood Design Committee of the City of Dallas, the Charter Review Committee of the City of Dallas, the Redistricting Commission of the City of Dallas, and the Board of Southeastern Methodist Hospital.Special recognitions include an Honorary Life Membership to Texas Congress of Parent-Teacher Associations, Honorary Member of the House of Representatives of the State of Texas, and a Certificate of Merit from the Dallas Police Department.Charles Diffee was preceded in death by his wife Lavina, his parents, brothers David and Jerry, and sisters Martha and Doris. He is survived by four children, Sharon McMahon and husband Stephen, Daniel Diffee, Catherine Diffee, and Patricia Diffee, one sister, Joan Diffee Starkweather and husband Wayne, and sisters-in-law Charlotte Diffee and Cheryll Diffee, three grandsons, their wives and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.Visitation will be on December 19, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas. The funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. on December 20, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Mesquite, 127 E. Kimbrough Street, Mesquite, Texas, with burial immediately following at Restland Cemetery.
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