Wallace Alan “Al” Pardoe passed away peacefully in Houston, on Saturday, the 16th of July 2016, at the age of 84. He was an adored father and grandfather, a wonderful brother and father-in-law and cherished friend to many.
Al was born on the 21st of April 1932, to Genevieve and Wallace Buchanan Pardoe in St. Louis, Missouri, but raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He continued his education at University of Oklahoma where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta and earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 1958.
Following graduation, Al worked for the U.S. Corps of Engineers while attending law school, but an offer from Reynolds Metals Company brought him to Houston in 1959. He married Missy Pardoe in 1965 and together they raised two daughters, Jennifer and Marlee. In 1969, Al formed Ragsdale Pardoe with George Ragsdale, and together they developed commercial/industrial projects for more than a decade. In 1975, he created Pardoe Development Company and continued his passion for developing commercial real estate, broadening his scope to include office building development. In a real estate career that spanned more than three decades, Al was a substantial contributor to the office and industrial market in Houston.
Al served in the United States Army for two years, where his talent for shooting was discovered. Within his first week of service he was asked to instruct riflery, and a lifelong affection for shooting began. He became an avid bird hunter, in time enjoying trips to Ireland, England and Scotland -- but perhaps his favorite hunts were for dove and quail in George West, Texas with family and friends as well as big game hunts in the remote jungles of Mexico.
Al was dedicated to several memberships in his lifetime, including Houston Racquet Club (where he was an accomplished tennis and racquetball player), The Houstonian, Safari Club International, River Oaks Tuesday Breakfast Club, The OU Club of Houston and Phi Delta Theta. A voracious reader and devoted to the pursuit of being “well read,” Al thoroughly enjoyed classes in literature and philosophy at Rice University following his retirement. His love of music brought him to many performances at the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston, and he was an enthusiastic college football and basketball fan, graciously ribbing all opponents with “Boomer Sooner!” Throughout his life, he applauded the younger generation of accomplished musicians and athletes, always supporting those in pursuit of greater achievement.
Preceded in death by his parents, Al is survived by his brother, Philip Edward Pardoe of Orlando, Florida; his daughter, Jennifer Pardoe Gilliam, her husband Lance and their daughter Emma; his sons, Lance and Matthew; and his daughter, Marlee Pardoe Sikes, her husband Mark and their children, Bennett and Mallory.
A memorial service celebrating his life is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Thursday the 21st of July, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Mary. E. Wilson, Senior Associate Rector for Pastoral Care, and the Rev. Suse McBay, Assistant Rector for Pastoral Care and Prayer Ministries are to officiate.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Al’s name may be directed to Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe, Houston, TX, 77030; or to The Rebecca and John J. Moores School of Music, 120 School of Music Bldg., Houston, TX, 77204.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18