Michulka, Charles 'Charlie' Lee

Charles “Charlie” Lee Michulka, 73, of Cedar Rapids, died Nov. 24, 2011, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, with Father Chris Podhjasky presiding. Burial to follow in Dunkard Cemetery near Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. Monday at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard, Texas.

Charles was born Jan. 14, 1938, in Wharton County, Texas, the middle son of Louis (a Jax beer distributor) and Anne Balajka (a registered nurse) Michulka. He graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1960, and a Post-Baccalaureate in 1962, an accounting degree from the University of Houston in 1961, and a Juris Doctorate in 1970 from South Texas Law School. He became the city of Stafford attorney and Municipal Court prosecutor for 15 years, and set up the only independent school district in the state of Texas.

Charlie was in private practice from 1970-1990 and 1994-2008, until being injured in an automobile accident. He served 12 years in the United States Army Reserve, retiring as captain, and then followed by 25 years as a captain and major in the Texas State Guard Company A, Fifth Battalion 8th Regiment, a volunteer organization.

Charlie loved to volunteer his time to help others. He represented “Fuzz Buster” (Cincinnati Microwave) in Texas and the only photo radar case won in County Court. He debated photo radar on Fox TV and radio. In the early 1980s, Charlie was a special assistant District Attorney / Misdemeanor Prosecutor and Acting County Attorney for Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas. In 1991, he closed his law practice to care for his disabled wife who died that year, and worked as a special county attorney in Wharton County. He was a fellow with the Fort Bend, Harris, Wharton, Waller and Montgomery County bar associations and fellow of the College of the State Bar in Texas and the Iowa Bar Association.

Charlie retired as an associate judge with the city of Sugar Land after 16 years of service, and as City Attorney of Beasley after 15 years. He was an instructor and the first distinguished honorable member of the Texas Municipal Justice Bar Association.

Most importantly he was a man of great faith.

Charlie married Pamela Walser on Oct. 30, 1993, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard, Texas. They have been married for 18 years, but have known each other for over 35 years. In September 2011, they moved to Cedar Rapids to be closer to Pam's family.

Charles is survived by his wife, Pam; two grown children, Walter Michulka of Austin, Texas and Karen Michulka (Frank) Brevelle of Newton, Texas; grandchildren, Garrett (8) and Mason (6) of Austin, Texas; and a brother, Louis (Dionne) Michulka of Pasadena, Calif.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, and younger brother, Thomas Michulka and wife Pauline.

Animals were his pride and joy. Memorials may be directed to the donor's local humane society.

Charlie's unique being, creativity and sense of humor made him stand out in a crowd. He touched so many lives in positive ways.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at

Published Nov. 27, 2011, in The Gazette