July 5, 1921 – October 4, 2020
Algernon Lee Chivers Jr., age 99, passed away Sunday, October 4, 2020 in Houston,Texas. The son of the late Cecilia Dolan Chivers and Algernon Lee Chivers Sr., Algernon was born July 5, 1921 in Beeville, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Alice Burns. Al is survived by his children Angelee Chivers, Cecilia Gooch and husband Tommy, Algernon Lee Chivers III and wife Laurie, grandchildren Heather Schuren (Justin), Emily Salem (Blake), Austin Chivers, great grandchildren, Kaeley Chivers, Addison and Brant Schuren, Kinley, Kyler and Lane Salem.
While attending high school, Algernon enlisted in the army and during World War II he earned the rank of Sargent Major in the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment serving in the Philippines. He was in the army from 1939 until the war ended in 1945. His assignment took him to Leyte, Mindoro, Corregidor and Negros Islands. His first combat jump was on Corregidor where he was awarded his first purple heart. He fought on Negros Island and was seriously wounded which earned him his second purple heart. One of his greatest moments during the war was seeing General MacArthur arrive to the Island of Corregidor on his PT boat after they had secured the island. During his years in the military in addition to his two Purple Hearts, he was awarded a Bronze Star, combat medal, an American Defense Service medal and ribbon, American Campaign medal and ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal and ribbon, Good Conduct medal and World War II Victory medal and ribbon. In 2015, Algernon was invited and traveled with Honor Flight Houston to Washington D.C. where he was honored along with other World War II Veterans at the World War II Memorial by former Senator Bob Dole.
During Al’s first training in the army he worked in food service and was put in charge of setting up the training center for the first Women’s Army Corps in Fort Devens, Massachusetts. His return from the war took him to the Louis Hotel Training School in Washington D.C. Shortly after he joined the Hilton chain as the Manager of the Windsor Hotel in Abilene, Texas where he met his lovely wife of 64 years, Alice Burns.
Al served as Manager at the Lake Charles Golf and Country Club in Louisiana, Oak Hills Country Club, San Antonio, Texas, Glen Garden Golf and Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas, The Oaks Country Club, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and 25 years at The Briar Club, Houston, Texas. During his career he served as President of the Food Caters of Fort Worth, Texas, President of the Oklahoma Chapter Restaurant Association, President of the Texas Lone Star Country Club Managers Association of America, President of the Country Club Managers of Houston, and was a founding member and President of the River Oaks Rotary Club where he was awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Medal and honorary life membership. He had numerous other memberships in Lions Club, Elks Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team, American Legion, Purple Heart Gulf Coast Association, Combat Infantry Association, American Legion, Disabled Veterans of America, National World War II Museum , Blind Veterans of America and the Army Historical Foundation. He had been a member of Saint Michael and Saint Cyril’s Catholic Church.
Algernon was a loving husband and a devoted father whose passion in life was hard work, gardening, cruising the high seas and most importantly, spending quality time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Everyone who knew him loved him.
A Celebration of Life Service will take place at the Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, October 30, 2020 at 1:00 pm followed by a Military tribute and Internment at 2:00 pm, Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Rd., Houston, Texas 77077.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana in honor of Algernon Chivers, Jr.
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