By Mark Collette
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
BEEVILLE, Texas — A Texas soldier who died in Afghanistan on Saturday worked two years at a state prison unit in Beeville before joining the Army.
Spc. Charles J. Wren, 25, is survived by a wife and two brothers who are dealing with the latest tragedy in a family beset by hardship. Wren, nicknamed Chaz, died Saturday in a bomb attack.
Wren and his brothers had a tough time growing up after the deaths of their parents, who each succumbed to illnesses just 18 months apart when Wren was in elementary school, said Tina Christiansen, a cousin.
The brothers were raised by their grandmother in Hondo, where Wren attended Hondo High School before going to work for the state prison system. He was a correctional officer at the Garza West Unit in Beeville from January 2006 to March 2008, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice records.
Joining the Army “was something that Chaz probably felt like he was always called to do,” Christiansen said. “He was very good at it. He had a lot of guts. He didn’t have the ideal childhood, but my grandmother did the best she could, and he loved her. He made something positive out of his life.”
Wren received the Purple Heart, given to wounded service members, and the Bronze Star, awarded for bravery. Officials with his Army unit could not provide details about the medals, but Christiansen said Wren had hurt his knees and taken shrapnel wounds to the face, and was surprised when the Army redeployed him last month.
“He did what I always tell my boys to do,” Christiansen said. “Pick yourself up and keep going.”
Wren is survived by his wife, Klaryssa Wren; and brothers, Will Wren, of Hondo, and Jesse Wren, of Bedford. Services are pending.
Wren, 25, died Saturday in Afghanistan.
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