Arch (as he was known to most) grew up working the family ranch, hunting and raising animals. He grew up in a Christian home and attended church regularly. His parents were very involved in their local church community and he was baptized in 1953 at the Church of Christ in Uvalde, Texas. In 1951, he was drafted into the Korean War, where he served in the United States Army from 1951-1953.
After an honorable discharge, he moved to Richmond, Texas where he worked for the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Highway Patrolman Officer. From there, Arch landed a job with a transportation company and began to really launch his career. He followed that career to Matlack in Corpus Christi. It was there that he met and married the love of his life – Betty in 1967. They were married 42 years. While living in Corpus Christi, the owner of Mission Petroleum Carriers called Arch offering him a position down in Houston, Texas. Arch moved to Houston and excelled at Mission. He became President of Mission in 1983 and continued in that role until his retirement in 2006.
Arch is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Helen Ernst, his beloved wife Betty, and his stepson Tommy Steele. He is survived by his daughter Sandra Woods, husband Gerry, and grandson Ryan. In addition, he is survived by his two stepdaughters: Linda Steele and her daughter Debra, partner Wayne, and their two children Clara and Aubrey; and Nancy Carey and husband Jay. Arch was blessed with step grandchildren as well as great-step grandchildren. He was a role model of integrity and honor to them all.
On July 9, 2024, Arch will be laid to rest in a private, family burial. At noon that same day, there will be a Memorial Service at Second Baptist Church – Cypress Campus, located at 29900 Highway 290, Cypress, Texas 77433. Please join us there to honor this great man.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make donations in Arch’s honor to either the Wounded Warrior Project - https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org or to the Texas Department of Public Safety – DPS Troopers Foundation - https://www.texasdpsoa.com/dps-troopers-foundation/about-dpstf/about-the-foundation.
