Christopher Gantela

Dr. Christopher Gantela of Houston TX was called to glory on June 28, 2021. He was born in 1937 in India to Ananda Rao and Mary Gantela, the second eldest of five siblings. He was married to Saro for 55 years.

Chris’s career in the Oil and Gas industry spanned 40 years across many parts of the world. Chris worked in India, Canada, Algeria, Syria, at Aramco in Saudi Arabia, and in Houston, Texas. He was an active member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, and local Houston Geophysical Societies. Upon retirement, he decided to resume his studies, and at the age of 78, Chris successfully achieved his Ph.D. in Geophysics; he was the oldest graduate. He served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston.

Chris was an active member of Grace Presbyterian Church Houston since 1983. He was very passionate about serving the Telegu Indian Christian community in Houston. Starting with three families that met for Bible Study in 1986, that group grew and merged, and 1999, Chris became president of the non-profit organization, the Telugu Christian Fellowship. He would go on to lead five Texas-wide Indian Christian Family Conferences.

Chris had much interest in his genealogy, enjoyed tracing roots and finding connections. He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings. He is survived by his wife Saro, his sons Rajeev and Swaroop, 102 close family members including sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews and their families, and numerous friends.