Wayne Watson Morford

WAYNE W. MORFORD, 91, of Houston passed away in his home on September 4th. He was born to Elizabeth and Wayne Morford in Chamberlain, South Dakota on June 11th, 1921. Wayne moved many times during childhood but stayed within a 100 mile radius of Chamberlain. His summers were filled with family fun traveling to the Cheyenne River and Black Hills in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Upon graduation from Belvidere High School, Wayne spent a brief time in Los Angeles, CA before enlisting in the Army. Upon his enlistment, Wayne was sent to Fordham University in NY to be trained as a radio communications specialist. His army career began in London during one of the heaviest bombing campaigns by the Germans; he then moved to France and eventually ended up being stationed in Germany. After the service, he attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greely and graduated with a degree in Mathematics. Wayne was accepted for graduate school at UCLA and spent a brief period of time there until beginning his career in the oil industry. Wayne began his career at Shell Oil with an assignment in Sacramento, California. He finished his career 35 years later in Houston, Texas. Wayne moved 33 times in that span and spent some of his favorite years in Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada working as a geophysicist. While in Albuquerque he met a school teacher named Harriet Landy, of Brooklyn, New York. They were happily married for 43 years until Harriet passed away in 2002. Since retiring in 1983, Wayne has been active at St. Edward's Catholic Church with many dear friends whom he has enjoyed great fellowship. Wayne is survived by his sons Lee and Mark, their wives, and 6 grandchildren. Wayne had a fantastic sense of humor, a quick wit, and lived life to its fullest. He was blessed with excellent health, was still driving at 91 and was right with his God. He will be missed by many and holds a special place in our hearts. A viewing is being held at American Heritage Funeral Home on Monday, September 10, 2012, from 5-8pm with a rosary at 7pm. A mass will be held September 11, 2012 at 10am at St. Edward's Catholic Church, followed immediately by a reception, and then followed by burial at the Veterans National Cemetery at 2pm.