Richard George

Richard Painter George of Wharton, formerly of Houston, died Thursday Nov. 29, 2007. He was born March 14, 1915 to Harold C. and Laura Painter George, in Platteville, Wis.

Mr. George was reared in Norman, Okla., and became an avid outdoorsman. He attended the University of Oklahoma and the University of Pittsburgh where he graduated in 1936 with a B.S. in petroleum engineering.

He worked for various drilling contractors and for Phillips Petroleum. Mr. George entered the army as a first lieutenant in 1942, serving in the Coastal Anti-Aircraft Artillery and later in Panama as battalion commander.

After the army he worked for International Petroleum Company in Talara, Peru, and Intercol in Barranquilla, Colombia.

During the 1950s he was president and CEO of M&R Specialty Company, a drilling and workover firm in Houston. He later worked in Conoco's International Department in New York City.

In his final job in the petroleum industry, he was based in Utrecht and London as Amoco's Manager for North Sea Operations.

He retired early and returned to Houston where he pursued his interests in boat-building, fishing, hunting and the Great Books Discussion Group. Mr. George rebuilt his home in Wharton almost single-handedly, and resided there for the last 23 years of his life.

At age 78 he earned his private pilot's license and was actively flying until his 90th birthday. By faith he was Episcopalian.

He was a member of the Wharton County Club and a charter member of the Talara Rotary Club.

He is predeceased by his parents and by his sister, Julia Renz Parkin. Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Lila Gene Kennedy George; his daughter, Eugenia George of Sugar Land; his son and daughter-in-law, Richard P. George Jr. and Monica George of Klein; and his grandchildren, Coulter H. George and wife Daphne Gerling of Charlottesville, Va., Anna L. George of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Alan J. George of Klein.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, at 2 p.m. at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church in Wharton.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Wharton's St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, 207 Bob-O-Link, Wharton TX 77488; or to the Salvation Army, Service Unit Department, P.O. Box 2608, Dallas, TX 75221.