Harry E Christian Jr.

Harry E. Christian, Jr., 84, of Houston, Texas passed away on June 11, 2012. He was born on October 20, 1927 in Los Angeles, California to Harry Edward Payne Christian and Vlasta “Lottye” Jeanette Novak Christian. In 1939 he started as a paperboy and later served as manager of the newspaper in Yukon, Oklahoma. In 1942 he ran the Movie projector in Yukon, Oklahoma, and then in 1943 Harry taxied out airplanes at Cimarron Field. In 1945 he proudly served his country in the United States Navy during WWII. In 1949 he received his Bachelor of Science in Geology and in 1952 his Master’s of Science in Geology from the University of Oklahoma. He became a graduate assistant at the University of Oklahoma in 1950. In 1952 & 1953 Harry worked for the Stanolind oil and Gas Company and the Standard Oil of Indiana (Amoco). He worked for Amoco for 38 years until his retirement in 1989. During that time he was responsible for major oil exploration discoveries in the following countries: Venezuela, Argentina, United Kingdom (North Sea), Trinidad, Egypt, Algeria, and China. In addition, he worked in the following cities for Amoco: Oklahoma City, New York, Chicago, and Houston. Harry was the President of the Amoco Houston Alumni Club, member of the Houston Geological Society, member of the AAPG (American Association of Petroleum Geologists), the University of Oklahoma alumni, and a volunteer for the United Way. His Church affiliation was with St. John Vianney Catholic Church and St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church. He is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth Christian of Houston; daughter, Susan Christian of Houston, daughter, Sharon Wilkes and her husband Billy of Round Rock; grandson, Joshua Wilkes of Round Rock; brother, Joseph Christian of Dallas, Oregon; sister-in-law, Sheryn Christian of Dallas, Oregon, sister-in-law, Jean Christian of Salem, Oregon; nephews, Steve Christian of Hillsboro, Oregon, Mike Christian of Lake Forest, California, Scott Christian of Mission Viejo, California; nieces, Margherita Fontana Gonzalez of Saline, Michigan and Cristina Fontana Gomes of Zionsville, Indiana. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday June 14, 2012 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday June 15, 2012 in the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home Chapel 13001 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77079. Interment will follow in the Memorial Oaks Cemetery.