Charles Pappe was the son of Arthur Pappe and Violet Major. He was the grandson of Richard Pappe Sr. and Louise Kornrumpf. He was in the US Army in WW II and served in the European theatre. Charles married Frances Anderson and they raised two children.

Charles grew up in Kingfisher, OK and later lived in Woodward and then Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is well known for his role as co-founder of the Sonic Restaurant chain.