Donald O. Chrismer

Mr. Donald Chrismer, born July 24, 1930 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, the 21st of November, 2015, at the age of 85. He was a resident of League City, TX but had lived in the Clear Lake area for the last 44 years. In 1947, Mr. Chrismer graduated from Fenger High School in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Little Rock Junior College and graduated in 1950. He was an officer of the Delta Kappa Fraternity. After graduation, during the Korean War, he joined the U.S. Air Force. He received his wings and commission in 1952; a proud member of “52-Charlie”. In May of 1952, second Lieutenant Chrismer married Mable Jean Neely. They left immediately after the wedding for Don to report to his new assignment in Valdosta, Georgia. The young couple lived there until he went to the University of Oklahoma and graduated with a BS in mechanical engineering. He was then hired by Shell Oil Company and the young couple moved to Houston. In 1957, their first son, Don Jr. was born. Three years later their second son, Mike came along and Don Sr. received his MS in mechanical engineering, from the University of Houston. Mr. Chrismer worked 35 years for Shell Oil Company. He started his career, at the Deer Park Refinery, blowing up compressors with his friend and colleague, Dr. John Massey. It seems only logical that during later years he became the refinery fire chief. The Chrismer family moved from Houston to Westport, Connecticut, to Odessa, Texas, and then back to the Houston area in Clear Lake City. Over the years he traveled the world and was even in a Shell Oil Company TV commercial. This engineering expert was also a great husband, father and Christian. He was active at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church serving on building committees and coordinating the instillation of the sanctuary pipe organ. He was very active with Habitat for Humanity, as well. He is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Orville Chrismer and Laura Chenoweth; his brothers, Marion Orville and Jack Allen; and his beloved, Mable. He is survived by his sons, Donald Orville Chrismer Jr and wife, Melanie, William Michael Chrismer and wife, Agnes; grandchildren, Lauren Chrismer Williamson and husband, Capt. Andrew Williamson, Timothy Robert Chrismer, Amanda Marie Chrismer and Kristie Lee Elder and husband, Coby Elder; great-grandchildren, Abigail, David and Lillian; Matthew, Kylie and Korbin, as well as numerous nieces, and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at Clear Lake United Methodist Church (281-488-5110), 16335 El Camino Real, Houston, Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.; Rev. Alberto Williams, presiding. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Houston and Southeast Texas, 6055 South Loop East, Houston, Texas 77087; www.alz.org/texas.