Richard C Gardell

1932-2015

Dick passed away on October 25, 2015. He was born in Long Branch, New Jersey on May 8, 1932, the only child of Emil and Meta Gardell. He graduated from Asbury Park High School in 1950, where he lettered in football and baseball. He graduated in 1954 with a BS in Geology from Iowa State University where he was a Sigma Nu, an ROTC member, and a 3 year letterman in baseball. After graduation, Dick served in the Army as part of the occupational forces in Germany in the 2nd Armored Division. He completed his service honorably as a First Lieutenant. After his return from Germany, Dick married Joan Jacobs, his college sweetheart in 1957.

Dick then started a 33 year career with Shell Oil Company as an exploration geologist. Dick and Joan started their lives together in Sweetwater, Texas and moved wherever Shell wanted him to go. His assignments took his family to Billings, Abilene, Midland, New Orleans, Calgary, and Houston, where they ended up, with Dick as Chief of Exploration Operations. During 14 years of his career he enjoyed working in the International Exploration Group of Shell (Pecten) where he explored in Canada, Cameroon, Brazil, and other Latin American countries.

Dick and Joan loved to travel and did so for many years. His Lutheran Church, his genealogy hobby, his keen interest in World War II literature and artifacts, and his woodworking hobby gave him great joy. He loved making wooden gifts for the family and for the annual Church Christmas bizarre. His genealogy interest peaked in 2008 when he and Joan, along with the entire rest of the family (18 in all) travelled to Sweden to meet distant cousins. He also enjoyed sharing family time and tinkering at his 2nd home on the Colorado River near Burnett, Texas. In 2012, Dick and Joan moved to The Buckingham, a retirement community in Houston, where they made many new friends and participated in many of the community activities. Because of his respect for the US Armed Services, he was instrumental in starting the Veteran’s Club at the center.

Dick was a devoted Christian and family man. He is survived by wife Joan of 58 years and his children and their families; Leslie and Freddy Bradshaw of Houston; Dr. Randy and Barbara Gardell of Waco; Kristin and Bruce Palfreyman of Houston; Grandchildren, Kyle and wife Krystal Bradshaw, Lindsey and husband Stewart Massie, Travis and wife Brittany Bradshaw; Reese, Lacey, Brenna, and Riley Gardell; and Kasey, Anna, and Jacob Palfreyman, and Great Granddaughter Lucy Bradshaw.

A memorial service will be held on November 2 at 11:00 at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2400 Wilcrest Dr. Houston, Tx. A reception at the church will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dick’s name may be sent to Christ the Servant Lutheran Church at 2400 Wilcrest, Houston, Texas 77042 or a charity of your personal choice.