Frederick C. "Rick" Doutel, Jr.

Frederick C. ("Rick") Doutel, Jr., 62, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on October 8, 2013. Born in New York City, NY, on November 3, 1950, to Frederick C. Doutel, Sr., and Joan Van Dyke Doutel, Rick moved to South Texas with his family as an infant, and went to grade school at St. Paul's Catholic School, Mission, TX, and St. Anthony's Catholic School, Harlingen, TX.

While in high school, Rick participated in the DECA (Distributive Education) program whereby he would attend required morning core classes, and work as a draftsman for Tri-Pak Machinery, Inc., Harlingen TX., in the afternoons. His weekends were busy doing what he loved best: playing guitar for "Gold Rush," a band which he helped form. In his youth, Rick loved traveling the Rio Grande Valley and beyond with his "Gold Rush" bandmates playing "gigs." Those bandmates remained dear friends throughout his life.

Upon graduating from Harlingen High School in May, 1969, Rick headed to the big city and never looked back! He matriculated at the University of Houston, graduating with a BBA in Finance in May, 1973, and was immediately employed by Houston Lighting & Power, 1973-1977. While working for Riviana Foods (a subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive) from 1977 to 1980, Rick and a childhood friend decided to start their own oil production company. In 1980, R & R Resources Corporation was formed and Rick began the rollercoaster ride known as the oil business. While his childhood friend left the company in 1986, Rick remained President and majority stockholder of R & R Resources until the time of his death.

Having played guitar for 46 years, and with an undying love for music always a cornerstone of Rick's life, he considered himself a music aficionado and would travel far and wide to attend those "must see" live concerts, which would also satisfy his love for travel.

Rick would have disapproved of his hard-earned money being spent to publish an obituary in, thereby providing revenue to, the liberal-leaning "Houston Chronicle." We respect, honor and concur with Rick's beliefs!! The Earthman Funeral Directors website is the lone place you'll find his obituary!

Rick is survived by brother, Rodney Doutel, and sister, Dorinda (Dee) Doutel, both of Houston, TX, sister, Jennifer Doutel Rowell, her husband, Lance, and nephews, Cameron & Wyatt Rowell, Austin, TX, niece Courtney Doutel Barta, her husband, Jeremy, and great-nephew, Joshua Barta, and niece Lauren Doutel Strickland, her husband, James, and great-nephew, Canon Strickland, all of Houston, TX.

Visitation will be held in The Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Fwy., Houston, TX (713) 465-8900, on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Rd., Houston, TX; Msgr. Frank Rossi presiding. Inurnment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, 1101 Antoine Drive, Houston, Texas 77055.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Rick's memory be made to the HLS&R Educational Fund, Attn: Lauren Hughey, P O Box 20070, Houston, Texas 77225, or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. WWP seeks to assist those men and women of our Armed Forces who have been severely injured during conflicts around the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Online donation to the Wounded Warrior Project can be made at: http://tinyurl.com/d885c56 or a donation form can be downloaded https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/_transactionServerFiles/700/2012/1/18/OnlineDonationForm.pdf, and mailed to the above address.

Condolences can be sent to the family at 203 Wynden Crescent Ct., Houston, TX 77056.

"Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:13