Charles Franklin Tomek

Charles Franklin Tomek died March 22, 2023 at the age of 94. He was born on December 14, 1928 and raised in the Houston Heights area. He graduated from John H. Reagan High School and graduated from Oklahoma University in 1952 with a B.S. in Geology. His entire career was spent working for Cities Service Oil Company, later Occidental Petroleum Corp. He entered employment as a “jug-hustler” in West Texas, moving on to field geology in Casper, Wyoming. He then served two years in the U.S. Army, during which time he was stationed in the U.S.A. and Panama during the Korean War. Charles worked for two and a half years in Dhofar, Southern Arabia. He returned to Cities domestic domain in 1959. During the last 29 years of his career with Cities he worked in the Gulf of Mexico Region, retiring as General Manager of Occidental’s Gulf of Mexico Region in 1988. These 29 years covered the early boom years in the Gulf of Mexico.

Charles was predeceased by his parents, Theodore M. Tomek, Sr. and Dora G. Roessler, as well as his sisters Dora Tomek and Maxine Hocher and brothers Arthur and Ted. His wife Catherine Sullivan Tomek, originally from Wales, predeceased him in 1996 after almost 39 years of marriage. He is survived by daughters Patricia (Trish) King and husband Mike and Sara E. Holbert both of Houston; sons David Tomek and wife Anna of Dallas and Jeffrey Tomek and wife Brenda, of Kingwood. He is also survived by grandchildren Robyn Wills and husband Kyle and their children Jackson and Harper; Tyler and Iliana Tomek; Barrett Tomek; Ashlyn Catherine Strickland and husband Hunter.

Charles was a longtime member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

Charles was beloved by his family, friends and co-workers and was known for his “infectious smile”, humor, kindness and generosity.

A graveside service will be April 22, 2023, 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway at Eldridge Parkway. A reception will follow at the home of Trish and Mike King.

Charles' family suggests that in his memory donations be made to Amazing Place, Houston Texas amazingplacehouston.org.

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