Brian Lee Bertram

Brian Lee Bertram, 64, of Houston, Texas passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Texas following a brief battle with Cancer. He was born April 14, 1961, and grew up in Mt. Summit, Indiana. He was the son of Bob and Geraldine (Cross) Bertram. Brian was a 1979 graduate of Blue River Valley Jr. Sr. High School. Following graduation, he joined the Navy and later joined the Army Reserves. While in the Navy, Brian was stationed at Camp David during the Reagan administration where he received a certificate of honorable service in the White House.

Brian met his wife, Charisse, in 2004. Through this relationship, Brian inherited his step-daughter, Averyl Pujol. In 2013, Brian relocated from Los Angeles to Houston for better job security. He started working for Alpha Testing which later became UES, where he worked as a Project Manager up until the time of his death. It’s the longest he had ever been employed with a single company.

Brian was very personable and known by many for his “dad jokes”. In his off-time, Brian was an avid poker player, who regularly played in the Las Vegas World Series of Poker tournaments where he developed many long-lasting friendships. He was able to make one last trip with all of his family in June 2025. Brian loved watching his grand-daughter, Mia Friday wrestle and was her biggest fan. He was known as “Grandpa Friday”. He also loved his Indianapolis Colts and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Brian is survived by his wife, Charisse, his son, David (Tanya) Bertram, of Bryan, Texas, daughter, Averyl Pujol, of California, grand-daughter, Tamia “Mia Friday” Bertram, of Bryan, Texas, father, Bob (Ina) Bertram, of Alpha, Kentucky, mother, Geradline (Cross) Oliver, of New Castle, Indiana, brother, Rex (Debbie) Bertram, of Greenfield, Indiana, and his sister, Janene (Bill) Smith, of New Castle, Indiana, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Brian was preceded in death by his step-dad, Rick Oliver, paternal grandparents, Woodrow and Doxie Bertram, maternal grandparents, Porter (Poppy) and Effie Cross and a brother-in-law, Bill Smith.

Per Brian’s request, please join us as we celebrate his life on Friday, August 8th from 2-4pm at First Baptist Church, 709 S. Memorial Drive New Castle, IN 47362 with military honors provided by contingents from the U.S. Army, American Legion and VFW. A gathering will be held in Texas on Sunday, July 20th at his home in Hockley, Texas, from 1-3pm. Brian’s wish was for his family and friends to gather and share memories together. You may express condolences or share a memory of Brian at www.hinsey-brown.com.