Ralph Hardie Akin

Ralph was born on October 18, 1938 to Ralph Hardie Akin and Darla Iris (Sutterfield) Akin in Decatur, IL. After graduating from CE Byrd High School in Shreveport, LA, he went on to study Geology at Centenary College.

While working on his undergraduate degree, he worked for his father’s business in Shreveport. After graduation he served one year active duty in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant. Ralph was honorably discharged in 1968.

In 1962, Ralph moved to Tulsa, OK to pursue his Masters Degree in Geology at the University of Tulsa. He then began his long career in oil and gas exploration when he started working for Apache Corporation.

Apache brought Ralph to Houston, where he then worked for Ada Oil Company and T.D. Bartling and Associates.

In 1977, Ralph started his own company, Akin Energy Corporation where he spent the next 30 or so years in his words, “cashing royalty checks and drinking good wine.”

In 2001, Ralph met Joan Slater Akin. They spent the next 21 years traveling the world, drinking wine and enjoying life. Ralph spent his later years playing piano for his son’s cat Jackie and for his Sunday School Class at Chapelwood United Methodist Church.

Ralph was predeceased by his parents Ralph and Darla Akin, and son, John Akin. He is survived by his wife, Joan, his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Maureen Akin, of Houston, his children, Laura (Akin) and Jerry Steves of Sugar Land, Michael Akin of Houston, Jennifer (Akin) and Zach Braden of Peachtree City, GA, and Julie Akin of The Woodlands, and his grandchildren Katie and Vaughan Steves, Wesley, Eli and Annabeth Braden, and Nolan Akin.

The Memorial Service for Ralph will be held in the Chapel at Chapelwood United Methodist Church at 11140 Greenbay Street on Friday, March 18th at 11 a.m. Graveside services will be private.