George Keith Harrell

George Keith Harrell passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, the 29th of December 2012, while on a golf trip to Scottsdale, Arizona, celebrating the new year. George was born on the 23rd of January 1944, at home in Warren, Texas, to Irene Laughlin and Robert Edgar Harrell, both of whom preceded him in death.

George moved with his family to Tomball when he was nine years old. Before graduating from Tomball High School in 1962, George served as treasurer of his senior class and president of the FFA chapter. He attended Sam Houston State University before, as he said, graduating from the School of Hard Knocks. After stints at many companies, including Payne & Keller and Brown & Root, he went to work for Skrla. George credited Dick Skrla and W.B. Smith with teaching him the value of hard work, loyalty and customer service. After Skrla sold out to Daniel International in the late 1970's, George got the opportunity to sell specialty items out of his home which lasted until until his toddler daughter started helping him file. That was the beginning of G. Roper, Inc., dba Creative Ideas.

George is survived by his wife of 37 years, Julie Boring Harrell “Mom”; his daughter Brooke “Doodle” and her husband, Court Urban; grandchildren, Macie Margaret “Peanut,” Mellie Ann “Jellybean” and Cooper Frank “The Coop,” all of Carrizo Springs; siblings, Robert Harrell of Lago Vista, Reba and her husband, Lynn Ross Lovett of Tomball, and Jack Harrell and his wife, Marilyn, of Millville, Utah. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.

George was hardworking, but if he wasn't at the office, he could be found outside enjoying life. He was a golfer of 40 years and played with Julie, family and friends. He had a love of bird hunting and the camaraderie of the camp. George had a passion for outdoor cooking. He designed his own bar-b-que pits and cooked for eight years at the Houston Rodeo Cook-Off with his team, Roper's Renegades, compiled of his son-in-law, nephews, and friends. After retiring from the cook-off, George continued to open the infamous "take-out window" for friends to get their fix of his ribs.

In more recent years, he became an avid skeet shooter. He travelled frequently to various shoots with a great group. When the sun went down, you could find him on the porch with a cigar and a Crown or two-stepping to Johnny Bush or Ray Price.

He greatly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, riding the train at Hermann Park, visiting the Aquarium, watching them swim or simply playing at home. Affectionately known as “Poppy,” he will be forever in their hearts.

Those who knew George will always remember his one-liners which made them all laugh. You might have called him “Popcorn,” “Roper,” “Cap God,” “Stitch King,” “The Source,” “Rain Barrel Harrell,” “Mullet,” “What's His Name,” “Old Dad,” or “Poppy,” but you knew that whenever you called him, he was there for you if you needed anything, big or small. George was a dear friend to many, a stranger to no one, and had most laughing in minutes. His family requests that you keep sharing the stories, laughing at his old jokes and remember his loyalty and love of family and friends.

A memorial service, in celebration of George’s life, is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 10th of January, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Martin J. Bastian, Senior Associate Rector for Pastoral Care, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a venue to be announced at the service.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to The Bluebonnet Youth Ranch, 4652 Highway 77A, P.O. Box 90, Yoakum, TX, 77995. (George was a member of Oilfield Helping Hands through which he became a supporter of the Bluebonnet Youth Ranch in Yoakum, Texas. He greatly enjoyed being able to donate to their cause in any way he could.); Texas Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 300630, Ste. 5214, Houston, TX, 77230; or to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, Houston, TX, 77056.