Carl Theile Meyertons

Carl was born on February 21, 1929 in Ritchfield Park, New Jersey (across the river from NY city). His parents were Paul and Elsa Meyertons, and his siblings are the late Ralph Meyertons, and Nancy Timmons.

He is survived by his wife Carol Meyertons; his sister Nancy Timmons; his daughters Mary Gray Popham and Jo Elsa Meyertons; sons Paul Meyertons and Eric Meyertons, step daughters Jean Naar, Carol Ann Purvis, and Cathy McAdoo; grandchildren Sonya Walker, David Cole, Carl R. Meyertons, Christa Meyertons, Kendall Meyertons, Kayla Meyertons, Andrea Flores, Adrianne Cox, and Sean Conway; great grandchildren Loren Cole, Kimber Cole, Sarah Cole, Eric D. Meyertons, Siena Flores and Conner Cox; nieces Laurel Sjodin, Beryl Meyertons, Margaret Booth, and Jennifer Timmons; nephews Mark Meyertons, James Timmons, and Carl Timmons, and many other loving family members and friends.

Carl’s father Paul was a penniless immigrant from Germany who came to the U.S. in 1924 and married Elsa, who herself was the daughter of German immigrants. So Carl learned some German at home, and he would often use German words for emphasis (e.g., “macht schnell!” for “hurry up”, or “schwein-hund” for an insult).

But otherwise Carl, like his father, had a personality that was basically the opposite of every German stereotype. He was funny, wasn’t impressed with formality, pedigree, or rigidity, and basically had a laid-back approach to life. For example, he hated being in the army (he was drafted for 2 years shortly before the Korean War), and luckily was sent to Alaska to do surveying instead of fighting in Korea.

He was raised during the depression, and had a legendary frugality with respect to his own expenses (we’re talking generic food, generally only buying day old bread (why pay full price?), and a clothing mindset that considered K-mart a luxury attire provider). But he also consistently gave to charity, including the Salvation Army, and he contributed, in whole or part, to the higher education of at least 20 people.

Carl was very intelligent, in a forgetful professor sort of way. He went to Columbia University in NYC for his undergraduate degree in Geology, and to Virginia Tech for his PhD. Unlike most forgetful professor types, Carl was on the rowing team at Columbia, which is a big deal in the Ivy League schools. He was tall and thin, with long arms, and had the perfect physique for rowing. He had strong arms for the rest of his life, and even into his 90s his arms were amazingly strong.

He was likable, and at ease with strangers, but in general his focus in life was his family. He raised, or helped to raise, 10 children.

He married Mary Alice Williams in the mid-1950s and adopted both of her children (Mary Gray and Betsy) from a previous marriage. He and Mary Alice then had 3 children (Jo Elsa, Paul and Eric). When Mary Alice passed away in 1979, he was devastated but he recovered and married Carol Nicholson (who had 4 children, Jean, Carol Ann, John, and Cathy) in 1979. While all marriages have challenges, and mistakes made, he was overall a good husband, was loved dearly by his spouses, and he was married for a total of 66 years.

Carl was a good father. He provided for his children, took them camping, attended their ball games (when he could), took them fishing, sledding, hiking, and sailing; taught those that wanted gardening, swimming and stock investing, and helped them with challenges relating to jobs, education, drugs, and mental health.

Carl was there for those that needed him and wanted him there. He helped to navigate many family crises and was a solid supporter of his children, whether natural, adopted, or step.

Carl was very popular with his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They loved seeing him, swimming with him, bantering with him, and seeing his garden and rock collection. He taught them how to scavenge for crystal rocks in their backyards, and made them giggle often with his quick jokes.

Carl loved being a geologist (he worked for Exxon for over 20 years) because he got to spend his time outside, often in remote areas. He wanted to often be in nature. Carl got to travel as part of his work, and he lived in Australia with his family for 3 years, in Germany for a summer, and in Egypt for over 18 months. He visited all 7 continents as well as over 60 countries, including many countries in central Africa (e.g., Chad, Niger) that most people in the U.S. have not visited. And he had his share of adventures too. He was once in a helicopter crash in Chile, which was a close call, but he was able to walk for 2 days to get help.

He also was stranded in central Africa, near the Saharan desert, because his vehicle broke down. His driver was useless as a mechanic, and spent his time praying and saying “Allah will save us”. It apparently worked, however, because a band of Arab traders did come by and provided the help Carl needed.

Carl was attacked in Venezuela on the streets of Caracas, and, after a significant fight, the bad guys got his watch, but nothing else.

As a senior citizen, Carl also was attacked, while with his wife Carol, on a train in Prague. The thieves were after his wallet, and while fighting they had their hands in his pockets, but only managed to steal a bunch of Carl’s used tissues (much to the amusement of his family).

Carl lived a good life. He contributed to society, he helped many others, his marriages lasted, he raised kids, he travelled, he saw the great sights of the world. He wasn’t a snob, and he was critical of those that were. At heart he was a modest kind funny person who didn’t take himself (or anybody else) too seriously.

His family loved him very much. He will be missed.

A visitation for Carl will be held Wednesday, March 29, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, March 29, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079. A committal service will occur Wednesday, March 29, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Meyertons family.