He graduated from Louisiana State University in Petroleum Engineering in 1938 and went to work for Humble Oil & Refining Company (now Exxon Mobil). He worked for Exxon over 44 years in various production department assignments.
He is survived by a daughter, Bonnie Claire Crowder, a son Robert Byrd Crowder and his wife Dianne. He has two grandchildren, Robert Everett Nelson Crowder and Taylor Leigh Crowder.
His beloved wife Bonnie Byrd Crowder died in 1996 and in 2001 he married a close friend of Bonnie’s, Sibyl Dore Vincent. Sibyl Dore died in 2006. He was most fortunate in both marriages and deeply appreciated their love and devotion.
He served three years overseas with the Army Air Force in Africa, Sardinia and France as an Aircraft Engineering Officer and was discharged as a Major. He was awarded the Bronze Star and his unit received two Presidential Citations.
He was associated with offshore operations in Louisiana for fourteen years before being transferred to Houston in 1971. Since then he has been an active member and a deacon of the Memorial Drive Baptist Church. While in New Orleans he was Chairman of the Offshore Operations Committee. In Houston he was President of the Pioneers Oil Producers Society, President of the Exxon Mobil Memorial Area Annuitants Club and President of the Frostwood Community Improvement Association.
He was a family man and was always true to his word. He adored his neighborhood and particularly his neighbors on Broken Bough who annually gathered to celebrate his birthday. He could be found most afternoons sitting outside and greeting all those he met. He will be missed.
A celebration of Bert’s life is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 3rd of November 2015, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering in Houston, where Dr. Robert M. Newell and Dr. James W. Doremus are to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent grand foyer. Prior to the service, the family gathered for a private interment at the Resthaven Cemetery in Jacksonville, Texas.
Those wishing to make memorial gifts may do so to Memorial Drive Baptist Church, 325 North Piney Point, Houston, Texas 77024.
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