Charles E. “Chuck” Cheek, age 58, of Houston, Texas and formerly of Pittsfield, Il. died Friday (April 17, 2009) at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas.  He was born October 7, 1950 in Pittsfield, Il. son of the late Charley L. and Mary Jane Gwartney Cheek.

He married Paulette Thomas on August 9, 1975 in Pekin, Il. and she survives.  Also surviving is an aunt, Genevieve Gwartney of Hampshire, Il.; and several cousins.

Mr. Cheek graduated Pittsfield High School in 1968 and attended the University of Illinois graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences.  While at the university he was a member and a past president of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.  He then attended Law School at the University of Tennessee and graduated with a law degree in 1975. 

Chuck, following law school, married then moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he worked for Gulf Oil Company in their legal department.  In 1985 he joined Enron and became chief litigation counsel for Enron in Houston, Texas until 2005 when he retired.  Chuck loved horses and in particular Tennessee Walking Horses.  Chuck and Paulette loved to ride and enjoyed the time spent with friends in the horse community.  He was a member of the state bar associations in Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Texas.  He was also a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association who named him member of the year in 2008 as well as the Walking Horse Owners’ Association.  Chuck leaves behind not only family, but a large number of friends in the Tennessee Walking Horse Community whom he loved dearly. 

Many of Cheek’s proudest moments came in the show ring including his World Championship aboard Generator’s Living Doll.  Cheek’s first show horse was Ebony’s Black Cloud and over his career he owned many others including Ultra Copy’s Dark Shadow, Cold Pizza, and Bourbon & Branch.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday (April 23, 2009) at the Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Pittsfield, Il.  Burial will be in Crescent Heights Cemetery in Pleasant Hill, Il.  Visitation will be held 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the Pittsfield First Christian Church, Pike County Mounted Angles, or to the Great Strides Therapeutic Riding Program in Shelbyville, Tenn.  Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.airsman-hires.com.