Charley Warren Kuykendall has made his last ride into the sunset. He departed us on September 24, 2026, to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. True to form, Charley fought until the very end with the same tenacity that propelled him through life. He was born on October 14, 1958, but you could just as easily believe he stepped straight out of the Wild West a century before. From his cowboy hat, big mustache, and boots to his slow Texas drawl, fearless demeanor, and big heart, Charley truly fit the mold of the quintessential Texas cowboy.
From an early age, Charley showed a passion for ranching and had first-hand experience being raised by one of the best. Charley used that experience to raise a Grand Champion Charolais Heifer at the Houston Stock Show. He was also very focused on his studies and gaining experience in other circles. This led him to being selected for the U.S. House of Representatives Paige Program in High School, sending him to Washington D.C. to live and work for Congressman Poage at the U.S. Capitol. With Charley’s strong work ethic and education, his next step was naturally off to college. He attended Abilene Christian University for one year and transferred to Texas A&M University where he earned a place on the national judging team and later graduated with a degree in Range Science. After graduating, Charley followed in his daddy’s footsteps, starting a career with Texas Soil & Water Conservation Districts where he worked in Jacksboro, Mason, and Coleman. He enjoyed his work there, but ultimately his love for ranching won over, and Charley decided to join the family business, K&K Charolais in Cherokee, Texas, until he was able to buy his own land and start his own ranch in Oklahoma.
He was most at home outdoors, whether working cattle on his ranch, working on a piece of farm machinery, or out hunting in Wyoming or Colorado. He was a true “Jack-of-allTrades,” in the sense that if something needed to be fixed, Charley would find a way to fix it. He had a beautifully unique mind that did not conform to the operating procedures of the standard world.
Charley genuinely loved his wiener dogs, T-Bone, Turbo, Tank, and Chandler. Dachshunds are not a typical ranch dog, but they conformed to his unique personality.
Charley is survived by his sister, Ann Little and her son, Curtis Little; his wife, Dailyn and son James; nieces: Laura Vanek and her husband Daniel, and Kimberly Studdard and her husband Kasey; their children: Declan Vanek, Remington Studdard, Whitfield Studdard, and Brewer Studdard; and stepsons, Brian and Reagan Strong.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Maude Ann Kuykendall; his brother, Jay Kuykendall; and his brotherin- law, Ned Little.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Blaylock Funeral Home in San Saba. A graveside service will take place at the Gray Cemetery, Thursday, October 1, 2026; at 10:00 a.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home of San Saba.
Memorial donations can be made to Cherokee Children’s Home.