Jorge Antonio Okhuysen Cardenas

His strong, resilient, and inquisitive spirit was evident at a young age – he excelled in school, as a Boy Scout, and at playing marbles with his schoolmates, who became his lifelong friends. Jorge loved nature, and loved animals, particularly his dog Ursus, the Great Dane who consoled him in times of need, after losing his mother at a very early age. Jorge was drawn, from early childhood, to the foundry established by his grandfather in 1896. Jorge loved to tag along his father and grandfather; and he sometimes entered the foundry without permission, to observe casting and finishing procedures.

Jorge became a mechanical and electrical engineer while teaching some of the university courses himself. He met and married the love of his life, Mary Ann Rice, in 1959 – six children, Jorge, Regina, Pablo, Constance, John and Mary Ann followed in quick succession.

Jorge’s interest within Engineering was the resolution of problems in the sugar, and later on, the oil and gas industries, which brought him to Houston in the 1980’s. Jorge particularly enjoyed innovation in these fields. He was the featured speaker at the Petroleum Club of Houston and national and international meetings.

Jorge loved fixing sugar mills built by other engineers. He often brought his children along on the business trips to the mills, pointing out the beautiful lakes, volcanoes, and architecture of the towns visited – oftentimes on an urgent basis, stopping along the way to introduce his kids to local treats and to find milk when Regina stowed away a tiny sick kitten.

Jorge amazed his family with his knowledge of all natural sciences, history, geography, and Theology. He was quick to share his prized recordings of classical music with his kids; he taught them to draft with his fountain pens. He was patient when the pens went missing or were damaged. He taught them to make elaborate meals from scratch, using recipes memorized by watching his grandmothers work in their kitchens as a young boy.

One of Jorge’s trademark characteristics was his generosity in the workplace. It was not unusual for Jorge to step up and assist when an employee faced financial hardship – his career spanned several turbulent decades in Mexican history. The foundry, nevertheless, survived, thrived, and at some points, provided livelihood for more than 400 families.

Jorge and Mary Ann enjoyed many trips to Europe, especially enjoying Budapest, in Hungary, and Italian cities. They loved Lake Como and their many trips to the Vatican. At one point, Jorge and Mary Ann visited Cristoforo Colombo’s, Alessandro Volta’s and Giacomo Puccini’s homes, and the castle where Leonardo da Vinci lived for some time.

The recipient of several international lifetime achievement awards, Jorge was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Sugar Cane Society, and the Steel Founder’s Society of America, among other professional associations.

Jorge is survived by Mary Ann, his wife of 64 years, his six children, ten grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. He leaves behind his sister, Carmen, an extended family, and his beloved childhood friend Antonio Rodriguez, who shared his passion for Engineering, dominoes, music and opera – and most of all, family.